BANGALORE: It was all quiet at Sankey Tank Road, until it witnessed protests against the proposed road widening on Monday. But speak to the people who work or live directly in the area, and they are bewildered as they are still unsure of what is going to happen.Ravi lives in make-shift tent with cement flooring on Gayatri Devi Park Extension, adjacent to the tank bund road. “A lot of people came yesterday and said that I will have to move out after the demolition work starts. I am a labourer and my children go to a nearby school. My wife works as a housemaid.Even as I was wondering what should be my next step some people claimed they were officials and told me that I need not worry. So, at this juncture I do not know what to do,” he said.The three temples on the stretch sans the devotees sported a forlorn look with the people frustrated on not knowing what is going to happen.“If the Government cannot even have the courtesy to inform us about what they are planning to do in the area instead of making us dependent on bits and pieces of news coming through the newspaper, where can we even expect them to consult us,” said a priest in one of the temples.As they were sitting under a tree watching school children play on the road turned playground, another priest said that they were feeling helpless in protecting what was their own from the very people who should be protecting their interests. ‘Let BBMP prove that widening is required’Dr Meenakshi Bharat of the Malleshwaram Swabhiman Initiative said that they would take the effort to meet the people there and inform them of what the Palike has planned. “We will also assure them that we are fi ghting for the cause. What the city requires is better traffi c management and not unnecessary widening of roads. Let them prove it to us that the widening is required with statistics taken now,” she said. Members of the initiative have been asked to meet the Deputy Mayor for talks on Thursday.
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