For a number of senior citizens and physically challenged residents of Ambedkar Quarters in Sadaramangala near Whitefield, commuting has been an arduous task due to infrequent bus services. The 161 houses were built by Karnataka Slum Development Board (KSDB) for physically challenged persons, the destitute and senior citizens.
The four buses that serve Sadaramangala are classified as a ‘very rare’ category by the route search website of Bangalore Metropolitan Corporation (BMTC). Though the buses operate as per schedule in the morning, services become slack later in the day and sometimes, they skip the stop, residents allege.
Sunita (name changed), a physically challenged resident and a contract employee in a government department, commutes to Malleswaram, which is over 20 km away. It takes her two hours and 45 minutes without traffic. If she misses the 7.30 a.m. bus, she has to go to the K.R Puram depot, about 9 km from Sadaramangala. “If my (nine-year-old) son misses the Shivajinagar bus on his way back from school, then there is no direct bus to Sadaramangala. He has to take a bus to K.R Puram and walk 9 km from there or catch an auto for which he has to pay at least Rs.100,” she said.
The alternative is the ITPL Gate bus stop, which is approximately 6 km from Sadaramangala. “But, due to traffic blockages in Ayyappan Nagar and Devasandra, drivers and conductors try to skip the stop,” Ganesh T., a resident said.
The roads in the area are in a pitiable condition due to which autorickshaw drivers refuse to ply there.
The only other option is to take the train. The nearest station is Whitefield, which is 9 km away. Due to the distance, most residents prefer to board trains when they slow down at Hoodi railway gate.
When residents question the K.R Puram depot manager, he reportedly defends the low frequency by citing the lack of revenue as many passengers have bus passes.
"We can only increase bus frequency if we get more revenue from that area. We will look into the matter if the residents submit a representation," said G.N Veere Gowda, General Manager (Operations), BMTC.
