‘Complex’ problems plague BDA

Bangalore: The Austin Town BDA complex is in pathetic condition, much like the 15 other Bangalore Development Authority commercial complexes across the city.

The BDA and the BBMP seem to make no effort to repair these commercial hubs, even when a 65-year old woman fell to her death at the Jayanagar BDA Complex, when she opened a door thinking it led to a toilet.

The Austin Town BDA complex on K.B.A.R Road stands testimony to this neglect. A walk around the six-acre shopping area reveals no effort whatsoever toward cleanliness and hygiene. Shoppers are greeted by rubbish heaps and the stench of urine all around. Carelessly thrown liquor bottles and muck have choked the storm water drains that run alongside. The Austin Town Shop­keepers’ Associa­tion has requested the BDA and even the police to see to the faulty high mast floodlight, drunkards littering the area at night, the clogged storm water drain and broken staircases. There has been no response so far.

“There are a lot of maintenance problems here, which worse in the rain. The BDA is not interested in the welfare of the people,” said B.M Rajanna, Association President. “A few years ago, the BDA wanted to demolish the old structure and build a new shopping mall, without a moment’s consideration for the 102 shopkeepers in the complex. The BDA notice was finally quashed by the High Court. Ever since then, the BDA has refused to respond to us. We have been here ten years, paying the rent on time,” he added.

The complex hasn’t had water supply for months. “It’s difficult managing without water, but we have no choice,” said Ananth K, a shopkeeper.

The condition of toilets and stairwells in the complex are another cause for concern. “The toilets are in horrible state as nobody really maintains them. Besides, the stairs are all broken and people often fall and hurt themselves,” said Prajith Paul, a resident of the area.

BDA Commissioner T. Sham Bhat said there has been a proposal to remodel the complex since 2008. “There have been some issues and we are trying to resolve them. Negotiations for a Public Private Partnership model are in progress and we are taking up modernisation in a phased manner. Other BDA complexes too are being rebuilt,” he said.