After dogged perseverance with the BMTC for 17 years, Kuvempunagar (BTM) Resident’s Welfare Association (KRWA), finally succeeded in getting a new bus route the area. The route became operational from 6th August this year.

The new bus route, 25N, will begin near 14th Corss, 7th Main in 2nd Stage BTM Layout and proceed to Majestic and vice-versa at an average interval of one hour fifteen minutes. A bus stop was constructed by BBMP councillor GNR Babu, to provide shelter for those waiting for the bus. It was inaugurated a few weeks ago.

Padmakshi (right) with other committee member of KRWA. Pic: Yogaraj S Mudalgi

Padmakshi Srinivasan, 60, current president of KRWA, has been instrumental in getting the bus route introduced. "When I became the president in 2010, my main agenda was to get a bus route for which we had been asking for, for years,"  she said.

She persisted and visited BMTC officials over several months, despite back pain and low blood pressure, before they relented. They asked her to get a No Objection-Certificate from MICO Layout Traffic Police stating that a bus route is feasible. Padmakshi even travelled with the traffic police in their jeep to survey the route and get the certificate.

She says that the bus route will be of immense help to residents, especially school going children and senior citizens. "It feels good that BMTC obliged our request," she says.

The bus stop where 25N will pass through, was recently inaugurated.Yogaraj S Mudalgi

Padmaskhi has been an active member of the association since 18 years, when she moved to the locality with her family. The association currently has close to 200 members and concentrates on civic issues like garbage clearance, sanitation in the area. "In the mid-nineties, the sewage lines were blocked and we got the authorities to clean the area," says Padmakshi.

Apart from focussing on civic issues, the association celebrates occasions like Children’s Day by having special programmes for children, hoisting flag on Independence Day every year. The association also awards cash prizes to its members who have performed well in academics or extra-curricular activities.

Padmakshi hopes that bus routes to different destinations like Shivajinagar and Market will be introduced soon to serve the commuters. She also says that there is an urgent need for a speed breaker on the Outer Ring Road near BTM Water Tank to help pedestrians cross safely. "The wide roads and absence of any speed breakers allows motorists to speed posing a threat to pedestrians crossing the road," she says.