Bangalore re-visited

(Completely forgot to post this in my own blog site :) It has been on DSS for a while tho')

Despite my ever true love of bangalore, i find myself questioning as to why do people still want to move to this city? I mean, i get all that funda about a cool and happening city (with all due respects to apna dilli an mumbai) but how come simple day to day things don’t seem to matter to these people? I can agree if left with no choice like a job here or relocation, but i wonder how many of these newbies even thought of an alternative city!
I sound extremely nasty I know, but it infuriates me to no extent seeing this lovely city going to dogs like this.. What used to be a calm and peaceful pentioner’s paradise is a city threatening to burst at its seams right now. Every possible road is jammed with people rushing in everywhich direction. There are problems at all levels. Whether its the city’s infrastructure, which, let’s face it, was never meant to accomodate 1 billion as it claims to now! Whether its the city’s meandering theme which is isolating the regional/local citizens in one corner where they really get confused about their belonging. Its all this and more.
I don’t think the development authority even for a second ever considered that the development if at all, has to keep pace with the every growing need of the city and not meeting their own manifested deadlines!Roads, if at all they can be called that, are so choked that people have actually stopped driving if they can afford to do so. I had recently been to one of my office locations slightly outside the city and was quite shocked to see so many cars with chauffers/drivers. Something like that was quite unheard of unless of course you drive like a Merc or something. But now, it actually makes sense to people because they can at least land at work peacefully, sans the irritation and road rage which btw has become a very common observation around here.
Every single body complains about the situation (your truly included) but I wonder how many of us really tell somebody, you know what, its not really a very good city for living right now. Or maybe they do! And maybe despite that people continue pouring in.
I know, I really sound quite anti-social, but its a truth which we have to face sooner or later. This city wil soon be deemed unfit for living. Right now, bangalore is the 2nd polluted city in India. There was a columnist who recently wrote that all there are these parents who educate their children about the ill-effects of smoking but do not realize that your child standing at even a signal outside their school in bangalore is inhaling much more dangerous and potent fumes.
I love the city, believe me, I do. Didn’t quite when we moved in 10 years ago, but now there is nowhere I would rather call home. But I have consciously decided to dissuade any new people, if they are talking of moving/buying property in this city. It can’t take it and sooner everybody realizes this, the better.

Phew! That felt good!