BENGALURU: Back-breaking rides might continue to haunt Bengalureans, notwithstanding BBMP chief commissioner Tushar Giri Nath's vow to rid city roads of potholes.
The Palike, under pressure from the high court, has been carrying out a pothole-filling exercise in all its 198 wards.
The chief commissioner is confident that the city will soon be absolutely pothole-free. But Bengalureans are skeptical, given the hurdles, including lack of coordination among various departments. Several roads maintained by Bangalore Development Authority still remain untouched despite multiple appeals by citizens and activists. In many layouts, BDA is yet to float tenders for asphalting, and the exercise, whenever it is initiated, will take a long time.
Vajapeyam Srivatsha, a civic activist, said Vajrahalli 100 Ft Road that passes through Turahalli forest and connects Banashankari 6th Stage and Kengeri is in bad shape. Multiple potholes dot the stretch.
According to Kiran Kumar, a civic activist, a senior citizen crossing 100 Ft Road three months ago was hit by a four-wheeler negotiating a bad stretch. The elderly man sustained head injuries and is completely paralysed, said Kumar.
Ramaesh Sharma, a resident of Kengeri, said hundreds of potholes have surfaced on Mysuru Road near Nice Road junction. Sharma added the road is maintained by BDA and no action was taken even though the urban local body is busy repairing roads across the city.
According to officials in BBMP, almost all roads in Anjanapura, Banashankari 6th Stage, Vishveshvaraya Layout and JP Nagar Phase 8 and 9 are in poor condition. BDA, which has developed these layouts, has not bothered to fix the roads.
Will float tenders shortly: BDA
HR Shantarajanna, engineer member, BDA, said: "We will soon be floating tenders for the layouts for paving fresh roads. The layouts are still being developed and everything will be streamlined soon." Asked about potholes on asphalted roads, he said: "If the road is maintained by us, we will work towards fixing them."
Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board is also carrying out work in several areas of the city, especially on the outskirts where potholes are not fixed. Sources in the know said the problem persists due to funding issues.
Giri Nath expressed confidence that BDA will soon start fixing problems on the roads under it. Asked if persisting potholes on city roads will not dent the image of BBMP, he said: "Ultimately, the Palike has to take some flak as it is the custodian of the city. But other agencies will work in coordination with us to address the problems."
