Lamenting the Lost Charm: Jayanagar's Transformation into a Commercial Hub
Resident of Bengaluru expresses disappointment over Jayanagar's deterioration in a viral post: "We've sold what our ancestors created"
Peek into a heartfelt social media post that captures the sentiments of many Bengalureans grappling with the evolution of their city. In this poignant post that garnered an overwhelming response, a local resident bemoans the transformation of Jayanagar, initially a tranquil neighborhood, into a bustling commercial hub.
Once a quiet oasis, Jayanagar, with roots traced back to Bengaluru's 16th-century origins, has found itself at the mercy of commercialization and real estate greed, a phenomenon now observable in other areas around the city such as Vijayanagara, Chandra Layout, among others.
The evocative words, "Once calm and peaceful residential area Jayanagar has turned into a busy, noisy and dusty commercial hub," echo the dismay experienced by the post's author and fellow residents as they witness their once-beloved neighborhood morphing before their eyes.
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The Voice of the City
The sentiments resonated deeply with other Bengalureans, many of whom shared similar tales of their own neighborhood transformations.
"We Jayanagara people just sulking over this every day. Every street now has multiple offices," expressed one commentator, while another added, "Same thing about Chandra Layout, RPC Layout, Vijayanagara, and surrounding areas. Every big house is turned into a PG. Everything, sewage system, water supply, roads, is overloaded. People are getting old and not able to adjust with this type of commercial activity."
The post opened up conversations around the proliferation of paying guest accommodations in Bengaluru, often established in violation of building norms. As Bengaluru earns the moniker of "the PG capital of the world," residents are growing increasingly alarmed about the mounting pressure on infrastructure and the dwindling of traditional homes.
"Houses with courtyards are being demolished or modified for more floors. Generations that inherited these homes are going to court to sell them, and open spaces are vanishing. It's becoming unsustainable," shared another user.
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**Enrichment Insights:**
- History of Jayanagar: Originally developed as a tranquil residential area, Jayanagar was part of the larger expansion of Bengaluru, founded in the 16th century by Kempe Gowda I. Over time, it transformed into a planned neighborhood with a strong community focus.
- Commercialization of Jayanagar: Recent years have seen Jayanagar significantly transform from a residential hub to a commercial center, owing largely to commercialization and real estate development. This transformation is now manifesting in other areas of Bengaluru.
- Impact of Commercialization: The commercialization of Jayanagar has generated mixed reactions among residents, causing congestion, infrastructure challenges, and evoking feelings of nostalgia.
- Loss of Traditional Homes: Houses with courtyards are being demolished or modified to accommodate more floors, leading to the erosion of traditional homes and open spaces.
- The transformation of Jayanagar, once a peaceful residential area, into a busy commercial hub has sparked debates among Bengalureans about the loss of traditional homes and the pressure on infrastructure.
- Residents are concerned about the proliferation of paying guest accommodations in the city, often established in violation of building norms, as Bengaluru is becoming known as the "PG capital of the world."
- For some, the change in Jayanagar and other areas like Chandra Layout, RPC Layout, and Vijayanagara is a source of dismay, with every big house being turned into a PG and the accompanying strain on the sewage system, water supply, and roads.
- In a bid to deal with the growing pressure on infrastructure and the dwindling of traditional homes, many homeowners are resorting to selling inherited houses, leading to the demolition or modification of houses with courtyards and the disappearance of open spaces.
