Bengaluru: People of Magadi road, Deepanjalinagar, Attiguppe and Hosahhali have always had it bad, with poor road connectivity, drinking water troubles and high pollution dogging them. But the last couple of weeks have brought them new hope.
Announcement of the Metro Rail beginning its run from Baiyyappanahalli to Mysuru Road has set off a flurry of activity with landlords upping their rents and demand for commercial space shooting up along roads that remain filled with potholes. The promise of better connectivity has brought with it a sense of hope, leading many here to believe that their localities may transform forever as a result of it.
“We have always had water shortage, poor roads and garbage on our streets. Deepanjalinagar with its huge drain is in fact considered a slum, but with the announcement of the Metro Rail opening its new line here, everything has changed. Landlords are evicting their tenants demanding higher rent and everyone here believes the Metro connectivity will change this area forever,” says Ms Kamala Achar of Attiguppe.
A real estate agent, Raviprakash H, notes that till a few days ago the rent for a two bedroom flat was around Rs. 10,000 on Magadi road, but is now the going rate is around Rs.13,000 for it. “The only reason the owners give their tenants for hiking the rent is that they will now enjoy better connectivity,” he says.
Mr Nagaraj V.S., who runs a free computer centre to help the students apply for RTE seats, says the Metro is impacting the demand for RTE seats as well. “Many parents who had applied for RTE seats in neighourhood schools have decided to move and withdrawn their forms,” he says.
