Soon after Sadashivanagar extension was created in the early 1950s to house the city’s elite, especially the political class and industry magnates, the now-well-known Sanjaynagar and Dollars Colony were formed not far away from Vidhana Soudha, the seat of power of the State Government.
The two cosmopolitan layouts were formed by the Bangalore Development Authority, which bought vegetable and fruit growing lands and gardens from farmers four decades ago. The two areas evolved, according to old-time residents, from layouts formed by employees’ associations of central and state public enterprises.
The amenities
Indeed, it is the State Government’s top officials who continue to give the area its stamp. The main road linking New BEL Road and Sanjaynagar was, just a couple of yeas ago, bedecked with bright lights, thanks to the then BJP Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, who shifted his residence to Dollars Colony. Dollars Colony also has among its residents Union Petroleum Minister M. Veerappa Moily, Union Minister of State for MSME K.H. Muniyappa, film actor-cum-former Minister Ananth Nag, Kannada Chalavali leader Vatal Nagaraj, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H.K. Patil, and former Karnataka Human Rights Commission Chairman S.R. Nayak.
Among the senior civil servants, Prahlad Mahishi and Sudhakar Rao, who served the Government as Chief Secretaries, are residents. Mining baron-cum-Congress MLA Anil H. Lad lives here too. The real estate value, needless to say, has skyrocketed.
Cosmopolitan mix
The main road is indeed Northern Bangalore’s answer to Brigade Road. Here a cosmopolitan mix of people have come to live, following the IT and BT boom.
And to service different cultures and tastes have sprouted shops, restaurants and hangouts. The area has retained the culture of Bangalore, absorbing people speaking different languages: Bengalis, Marwaris, Tamilians and Telugus.
