The Losing Charm of Jayanagar

     Walking on the broad streets of Jayanagar, watching children play on the roads, the aged ones chattering,  competing with the chirping of birds, the only other noise being created in the market areas... all these being engulfed in a green canopy is a thing of the past. Gone are the days when people enjoyed this serenity and cleanliness on the roads. With the advent of commercialization, one finds high raised buildings, malls and huge crowds everywhere. Kannadiga’s are giving way for Jayanagar to turn into a melting pot of cultures.

      

     Metro being introduced to meet the growing commuting needs, has forced the authorities to fell the trees, thus losing the enjoyable green space. The need for accommodating increased vehicles has diminished pedestrian needs. Migrants getting attracted to the well planned Jayanagar area have compelled increased construction activities, thus contributing to clogged drains, flooding low lying areas.  The famous rose gardens on the Nanda roads have made way for ‘namma metro’. 

     

     The change of landmarks is contributing confusions to the NRi’s who visit their hometowns. The culture of small walk shoppings has now led to a travelled mall shopping, forcing the shoppers to park their vehicles in residential areas, thereby taking away the peace of the residents. The tranquillity at ragigudda has paved way to the hustle bustle of shopping malls, thus spoiling the fundamental objective of people’s visit to a temple.

     

     The temples of learning like Vijaya College and National College have remained nostalgic. To meet the educational needs of the increasing population, we find new institutes coming up in constricted spaces, restricting the holistic development of the younger generation.  The changes in landscape have hidden the most popular swimming pool with the new style clubs, bowling alleys and other entertainment joints. We find people spending more time in these malls, clubs etc rather than the healthier choices of walking, swimming and similar social activities. 

     
     With congested space, myopic education centres, high rised buildings (inspite of the constraints imposed by BDA) and the loss of green canopy, Jayanagar seems to be exponentially increasing. It has been the attraction for all Bangalore immigrants. Myriad thoughts buzz in our minds when one thinks of the future of this area, what with the senior citizens losing their freedom.  With no hope of increase in lung space, will the gen-next start carrying oxygen cylinders with them???