Fed up with years of dust and neglected roads, residents of Balagere, Panathur and Varthur in east Bengaluru decided to take matters into their own hands. On Saturday morning, between 30 and 40 volunteers gathered to clean a 100-metre stretch between Balagere T-Junction and Varthur police station.
Community Action Against Civic Neglect
The volunteers, many of them IT professionals, started early in the morning. They brought basic tools and used money raised through crowdfunding to rent a tractor and cleaning equipment. Within just three hours, they removed a full tractor-load of silt from the busy sub-arterial road.
Residents said the cleanup drive revealed the shocking extent of neglect on this important road. Silt had piled up because mechanical sweeping machines had not been deployed in the area for a long time.
Health and Safety Concerns
Commuters and residents expressed serious concerns about the situation. Every passing vehicle stirred up thick layers of silt along the road edges, triggering respiratory issues and dust allergies among local residents.
Shwetha, a Balagere resident, voiced her frustration. "We have no clarity on whether sweeping machines are being used here at all," she said. "School buses halt on this stretch every day and children end up inhaling dust and silt. Where is the tax money going when basic civic issues are also not taken up?"
Alarming Accumulation
Anand, another Balagere resident who joined the clean-up, found the amount of silt collected from just 100 metres alarming. "If this much silt had accumulated on such a short stretch, imagine the condition of the entire corridor," he said. "These roads have clearly been left unattended for years."
Tejan Roy, yet another resident of Belagere, highlighted safety concerns. "With the rise in accidents leading to injuries and fatalities from potholes and damaged roads, we are scared for our safety and that of our children and elders," he explained. "Despite government encouragement, civic bodies remain in a state of slumber, and taxpayers are paying the price."
Beyond Just Cleanliness
According to residents, the issue goes far beyond basic hygiene. The problems include:
- Silt-covered road edges that reduce visibility
- Numerous potholes creating driving hazards
- Damaged road surfaces causing frequent skidding incidents
A recent accident involving a tech worker has increased community concern about road safety in the area.
A Call for Institutional Responsibility
While proud of their community effort, residents emphasized that citizen-led clean-ups cannot replace institutional responsibility. They are calling for civic agencies to take several important actions:
- Ensure regular mechanical sweeping of all major and sub-arterial roads
- Remove debris and silt accumulation promptly
- Conduct timely road repairs and maintenance
- Improve overall air quality monitoring in residential areas
The residents have made a clear appeal to authorities. They want the government to take immediate action and hold civic bodies accountable for proper use of taxpayer money. Their Saturday cleanup serves as both a practical solution and a powerful protest against years of civic neglect in their neighborhood.
