Where super-storied buildings dot the skyline today, Bilekahalli, until 20 years ago, was a small village along Bannerghatta Road. It was surrounded by JP Nagar, once the farthest end of developed Bangalore on one side and Arakere on the other.
Defined by a few hundred houses and farmlands, the area gained prominence with the establishment of IIM-B in 1983. “Thereafter, it went on to became a hub of prominent companies like Honeywell, Accenture and HSBC between the early and mid ‘90s. Followed residential and commercial developments.
Today, it denotes all-round development and is a major IT hub too,” says Syed Hidayath, director of a private firm. Builders saw potential in this area, which officially came under the Begur Hobli, Bangalore South taluk.
Between the 90s and into 2000, Bilekahalli was abuzz with IT companies. So apartment complexes dotting this road — Epitome, Kolte Patil, Mantri and Ranka __ attracted young investors employed in the IT and multinational segments. Among them is Bharathan Aravamudhan, senior marketing manager in an MNC in the area. “What attracted me here two years ago was the fact that it was a great location,” he says. But, like other suburbs in Bangalore, Aravamudhan found that this area too lacked water and sanitation facilities. “And, there’s practically no road,” he says.
PR professional Sumit Jain, a resident of Surabhi Apartment along the same stretch too, is aggrieved: “I’ve been living here for four years — when it rains, it’s a nightmare. Given there are no streetlights, it’s dangerous for old people, pregnant women and children to walk on the road, especially during the rains.”
Water woes persist. “Till date, there’s no Cauvery water supply. People in our complex which houses 200 apartments are collectively spending Rs 10,000 daily to procure water,” says Jain.
As residents face woes, builders have been bending backwards to ensure that amenities come home fast. Hidayath has been organizing meetings with several residential associations to resolve issues and handle crisis situations. "We worked closely with BBMP, BDA and revenue authorities to help build a storm water drain and widen the Ranka Colony Road,'' he says.
But all this didn't come easy as there has been lack of co-ordination between agencies, resulting in years of delay in completion of planned works. Finally, efforts seem to be paying off, and the work has speeded up over the past six months, despite the fact that there are three different contractors, who often don't work in tandem.
OLD-WORLD CHARM
Residents of Vijaya Bank Colony in Bilekahalli too face water shortage. GK Pillai, a resident, says that they get Cauvery water supply only once a week. “All borewells have dried up; you need to dig far below 1,000 feet to find water,” says Pillai, adding, “The reason for the shortage is that people have been building ten apartments on 50 by 80 plots, which are meant for single bungalows.”
Water woes apart, this colony wears the air of Old Banaglore with plush bungalows, parks and wide roads, away from the din of Bannerghatta Road. Jayakar Shetty, retired GM of Vijaya Bank, owns a house here. “This area used to be a village full of coconut trees and mango plantations, until the layout was founded in 1984. We are surrounded by Devarachikahalli, Kodichikahalli and Hulimavu villages, the terrains of which are being fast dotted with massive high-rises,” says Shetty.
THE PLUSES
Area has easy access to superspeciality hospitals like Fortis and Wokhardt
Connected to NICE Road, which makes commute to IT hubs like Electronics City fast
Shopper’s Stop, Meenakshi Mall and Reliance outlets are in the vicinity
THE MINUSES
Water woes abound — there is neither underground water nor ample Cauvery water supply
Bannerghatta Road clogged at peak hour, with commuters accessing it to reach NICE Road
Ranka Colony Road, although connected to BTM Layout, doesn't have access to the area, making Bannerghatta Road, sole entry and exit
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