Image source: Baadal Nanjundaswamy/Facebook
With poor civic infrastruture plaguing the city, it seems drawing the attention of authorities will take more that just informing them.
Take a cue from artist Baadal Nanjundaswamy. After he noticed a pool of dirty sewage water on the road outside Indian Coffee House on Church Street, he decided to make it his canvas.
He released several colourful paper boats on the mucky water in an attempt to draw the BBMP's attention.
"Three days ago when I crossed this spot, I noticed sewage mixed with waste flowing right outside hotels and juice shops. I wondered how people could eat in front of that spot, covered with flies. That's when I decided to decorate the puddle with paper boats," the artist told The Times Of India.
#Bengaluru Artist is back! He worked his magic on d overflowing drain on Church St - Colorful makeover of paper boats pic.twitter.com/QlJ0SsAjYZ
— Traffline Bengaluru (@TrafflineBLORE) August 1, 2015
According to Sameer, the owner of a paan shop situated right opposite the site where Nanjundaswamy floated the boats, the drain here had been overflowing with sewage water from the past two weeks. "The stink of the water was unbearable. It was making me feel sick. I am planning to go the hospital now," says Sameer, who has been wearing a mask to ward off the stench.
He added that the BBMP cleared the mess on Saturday morning.
Sameer (top left) and pictures of the spot as on Saturday afternoon; photographs by Siddhartha Mishra
Nanjundaswamy is known for his creations that highlight poor civic infrastructure in the city. Last month, a 'crocodile' art installation made by him using a pothole on the Sultanpalya main road went viral, following which the BBMP quickly filled it up.