Pai Layout residents convert 16th Cross dump into community coffee point

A former garbage spot on 16th Cross 1st Main in Pai Layout has been converted into a community coffee point after residents crowdfunded the work and contributed construction materials.

The Pai Layout Residents’ Welfare Association said local officials committed a matching grant of Rs 70,000 for the project. Residents also supplied sand, cement and jelly, while waste-management teams helped clear plastic waste from the site.

Subramanian NH, secretary of the association, said its members met GBA chief commissioner M Maheshwar Rao and were introduced to Arun Pai, the solid waste management ambassador for Swachh Bengaluru. Pushpa Goyal, a resident, prepared a sketch for the proposed space.

Residents painted murals around the site, and a cement bench was donated in memory of a resident’s husband. The association said it has also beautified three other garbage points in the layout with Arun Pai’s help.

“We brainstormed, crowdfunded, joined hands and beautified the spot,” said Anupama Lakshmi, an executive committee member of the association.