From a rocky area to a neighbourhood levelled to create homes, Bangarammametta in Allipuram was once earmarked for the economically weaker sections.
Over the years, 80 per cent of the families form a part of the middle income groups and the remaining part comprises slum dwellers.
The colony, lying between Venkateswarametta and Dandakaranya Bolangir and Kirandul Railway Quarters, consists of a 65-year-old ‘Sri Rama Andhra Yuvajana Samajam-Sri Gowri Seva Sangam’ which is used as reading room and library-turned-GVMC Primary School, catering to educational needs of hundreds of children.
The area has several congested lanes that consist of a number of two-storied buildings.
“Bangarammametta is probably the first colony where a plot has been jointly allotted to two different residents who share the same premises (ground and first floors). Though some of the roads in the neighbourhood have been recently re-laid, a few stretches remained untouched,” says M. Ramesh, who has been living in the neighbourhood for the past five decades.
Goddess Rachapolamma is worshipped as the village deity. Colony youngsters say erecting pandals during Ganesh Chaturthi and other festivals provide them a unique experience. “From planning a budget to organising events, festivals celebrated in the colony help us develop soft skills. The planning begins weeks ahead and we all chip in to share responsibilities,” says N. Lakshman, a class X student residing in the colony.
A few stretches of bumpy roads and clogged drainage channels are some of the issues that remained unresolved.
Zone III Commissioner V. Chakradhar; mobile No: 9848889701; Helpdesk No: 0891-2707299.
