For the estimated 6,000 inhabitants of the Ejipura Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quarters, the joy and relief over the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) giving approval for building concrete houses for them has been tempered by apprehensions over their relocation during the period of construction.
The residents of the colony expressed relief that after living in appalling conditions for nearly eight years, they would soon have their own dwellings. However, with Maverick Holdings — which won the contract to build 1,640 houses for them as well as a commercial complex in the 15.75 acres of prime area — saying it will take at least 30 months to complete the construction, the question of “What till then?” looms large for the residents.
‘Houses first'
None of them have been told anything about temporary accommodation when their current homes are demolished. Xavier Louis, president of the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Youth Welfare Association of EWS Quarters, said: “We will not allow the construction of the mall until the houses are built first.”
Apparently having learnt from past mistakes — when they had accepted ‘temporary' accommodation in their current dwellings which has stretched to eight years — G. Kannan, a resident of the area said, “We will agree to shift only when all the facilities are there in the temporary spot.”
Uday Garudachar, owner of Maverick Holdings, said the residents could not be accommodated in the colony while the construction was going on. “As the construction of the mall and the apartments will take place simultaneously, the dust from excavations as well as the space required for the construction itself will not make it possible for them to continue residing there.”
However, he said that after BBMP identifies a suitable space to shift them in the meantime, the company would provide a “better environment” than the one they are presently living in. “We will provide them basic amenities,” he said.
“There is absolutely no space in the surrounding areas for the residents to move to,” said Vannarpet Councillor Vijayan S., insisting that some families be accommodated within the colony itself.
Residents vehemently oppose any relocation to a far-off area. “Over 1,000 women here work in the National Games Village [opposite the colony], while a lot more work in Koramangala and nearby areas,” said D. Pratap, a resident. However, pleading helplessness, Councillor Vijayan said the residents may have no choice but to “struggle for a while till permanent houses are constructed”.
Struggling in sordid conditions is something the residents of the area seem to have got used to. “Living in EWS is like going to hell after death,” said S. Jai Prakash, a resident.
Appalling conditions
When The Hindu visited the area, the sewage chamber in front of the quarters had been clogged for a week and sewage had leaked back into the colony. Open drains spewed out putrid waste on the streets. Some 20 public toilets are damaged beyond use, and 6,000 residents use only 20 remaining toilets. Mosquitoes breed rampantly in the puddles left over from last week's rain. And residents complained that private players and even the BBMP dump garbage and debris in the open spaces of the colony.
