“Essel World” — that was what we called the rocky, uneven terrain running parallel to the road belonging to the Bharat Earth Movers Limited (known as BEML Ltd. today) township during the years I grew up there.
The BEML road used to be the only asphalted stretch that led to the eerie eucalyptus groves that spread across Malleshpalya, Vignananagar and Basavanagar. Vehicles were few and there was just one BMTC bus that braved the muddy road to serve the handful of residents who dared to settle down there.
Unrecognisable
Barely ten years down the line, the areas that stretch between the BEML factory and HAL police station have become unrecognisable. Gone are the eucalyptus trees, and our “Essel World”.
The relocation of HAL airport notwithstanding, these neighbourhoods which are sandwiched between the two public sector units (PSUs) — HAL and BEML — have become lucrative real estate prospects.
With the new and improved stretch having come up between G.M. Palya and Basavanagar, the BEML township, which was once the only symbol of civilisation, pales in comparison now.
Supermarkets, vehicle showrooms, clothes and jewellery shops — you name, they're there. Previously, the New Thippasandra Road and Indiranagar were the closest shopping destinations for residents here.
Many factors
The eucalyptus trees gradually made way for sites and houses and there is no single factor that contributed to the sudden spurt in growth. Everyone thought that the relocation of the airport would spell doom for the real estate prospects of the area.
But with the advent of ITPL in Whitefield and Bagmane Tech Park in C.V. Raman Nagar, development came rapidly. Today, these areas are easily among the most preferred residential destinations for the employees of IT companies and PSUs situated around these areas.
Not without problems
However, being in the throes of change, there is a definite sense of confusion. On one side there is defence land belonging to BEML (The PSU was generous enough to allow the widening of the road into a small part of its property), and on the other is Corporation land. .
Problems such as water shortage and (regular Cauvery water supply is yet to reach here) intermittent infrastructural development continue to plague the newly added areas. All roads except the main road are narrow. Stray dogs are aplenty too.
These areas are yet to make it to the A-list of the city's neighbourhoods, and for good reason. This is despite Namma Metro choosing to make its debut close by. People living here await a definite policy that can provide a solution to the problems that they face.
Until then, they will have to learn to be content with comparing the present with “what used to be”.
