Bangalore city is scorching in summer heat and treeless suburbs such as Sarjapur road and ORR (Outer Ring Road) is nothing but a jungle of concrete. The commuters have to put up with heat, humidity and sweat till signal goes green. Absence of bus shelters in the area exaggerates the problem. Sarjapur road and ORR areas are future of Bangalore with upcoming residential apartments and better option for commuting to ITPL.
In city, there are stretches of road with huge trees planted on both sides bringing relief to exhausted commuters. Such stretches makes commuters to takeoff their helmet and enjoy relaxing shade till traffic moves or signal goes green. There are many such stretches in city such as Jayanagar, Queen’s Road, Kasturba Road etc. In Sarjapur road and ORR areas, trees are conspicuous by their absence.
“It is not that there are no trees. We had planted trees six to seven years ago, which have started to grow. It will take a few years to grow big enough to give shade. Till then, the Sarjapur would have to bear the heat,” said BBMP forest range officer Nandish. The worst hit are commuters who waits for bus in these areas as they have to wait to at bus stop without a shelter or shade. With the starting of summer, the scorching sun beating down mercilessly on the city and people has to sweat it out throughout the day.
The wind and rain that lashed the city caused many tress to fall down. Environmentalist says “only solution to stop trees from falling down was to make sufficient space around the trees so they get proper water and air in order to make the roots strong.” The city has lost innumerable trees during last few years and because of fewer trees, the temperature is also rising. The commercialization of city and footpath built around the trees leaves no space around them. If sufficient space is left around trees for proper water and air to make roots strong, then city can retain its greenery and bring down temperature.
