Floodlights drive away red light biz

Increased police patrolling too has helped curb illegal activities that had driven pedestrians away from MG Road.

Increased police patrolling too has helped curb illegal activities that had driven pedestrians away from MG Road.

City's MG Road, once a haven for pedestrians, fell into disrepute with prostitutes and later, even eunuchs soliciting for customers. But now, pedestrians can heave a sigh of relief as floodlights on the entire stretch have come on. This move by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) and the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagar Palike (BBMP) has ensured that the road is rid of not just prostitution, but a host of other menaces.
Despite police intervention, the situation remained more or less the same. Things became worse for the pedestrians when eunuchs, too, began haunting the stretch. There would be frequent quarrels between eunuchs and prostitutes over 'territory' and business. The eunuchs sometimes even robbed and assaulted pedestrians.

Prostitutes and eunuchs have shifted to the Dickenson Road near Manipal Center.

Gradually, pedestrians began avoiding the road. When work on the Metro rail began, it gave a free rein to prostitutes and eunuchs who seemed to be having a field day with ample darkness and deserted nooks and crannies.

However, gauging the situation, the BMRCL, with the help of BBMP, put up floodlights on the road. The lights are placed 60 metres apart, and provide enough brightness for any illegal activity to be spotted easily.
Not only has this move driven the prostitutes and eunuchs to seek business at other areas like Cubbon Road and Manipal Center, but it has also put a stop to instances of molestation and people using the road as a place to relieve themselves.

Woes galore
Shailaja, a eunuch, told MiD DAY, "The floodlights don't bother us, but we have lost business. People are afraid to come to us when the lights are on. And with increased police patrolling, we had to move to other areas." Shridhar, a tea vendor on MG Road, said, "I haven't seen prostitutes and eunuchs on this road for a fortnight now. They have moved to Cubbon Road and Manipal Center. But because of increased police presence, we are struggling to do business too."

MG Road had fallen prey to prostitutes who would take over the stretch as darkness fell.

A ray of hope
However, there seems to be a ray of hope for eunuchs. Former minister Shobha Karandlaje said there is help at hand for them if they leave the business and join a registered organisation working for their cause. The government will rehabilitate them if they do so. She has moved a proposal to help such eunuchs, which is under consideration.
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"I have moved a proposal to provide jobs and pension for these eunuchs. However, unless they join a registered organisation, it will be difficult to do much," Karandlaje said.

BBMP commissioner Bharat Lal Meena told MiD DAY, "We have been trying for many days to control illegal activities in the city and have taken many steps towards that goal. We hope that it will help curb these activities."