Vanishing act of newly asphalted road!

BENGALURU: The 1st Cross in HAL II Stage has been a death trap for many years and after a lot of hue and cry the BBMP recently carried out filled up the numerous potholes dotting the road. However, the asphalt could not survive the first rain and wore of the very next day! The residents allege that the tar used was of very poor quality. For motorists, especially two-wheeler riders, travelling on the road continues to be a risky affair.

“I had never considered myself lucky until last week. I had a close shave with a road accident and the BBMP made me realize how lucky I was. On the fateful day last week, either I would have killed a biker or died. But I survived,” quipped R. Karan, a daily commuter in HAL II Stage.

The 1st Cross in HAL II Stage (near 100 Ft Road) has been a death trap for many years now, but the arrogant corporator and negligent BBMP officials have turned a blind eye to our problems, claim residents. Lack of tar coupled with heavy rains has made travelling on the crucial road a nightmare.

About a month ago, commuters and residents thought the BBMP had finally paid heed to their demands, when a batch of workers carried out patch works wherever potholes were formed. “A shocker greeted us the next morning,” said an angry Ramcharan, a resident. “The very next day it rained heavily and the asphalt wore off the road. We knew the BBMP does a shoddy work, but this was too hard for us to even believe,” he said.

Ramcharan added that during the wet spell last month accidents involving two-wheelers became very common and more than three people got injured in a week. The residents said that on the day the patch works were carried out, some of them had protested against the work as they knew the quality of tar was way too sub-standard.

“For many hours, the residents joined hands and demanded that the BBMP should not carry out shoddy works. We knew that the quality of tar was so poor that it would wear off within weeks. The works were carried out against our will and the tar wore off within 24 hours,” said Chitra, another resident.   

Contractor has been told to redo the work: C.R Lakshmi Narayan, Domlur ward Corporator
Why was the patch work on road carried out despite residents’ protest?
Carrying out the patch work was important and funds were sanctioned for the purpose. Most importantly, I was not aware about the quality of tar since I have no technical knowledge. However, the contractor has been told to redo the works.

But the tar wore off within a day.
The main reason for the tar to wear off so quickly was the heavy showers in the city. It had to set well, but there was no sufficient time. Also, since the residents had protested, the temperature of the hot tar was reduced, which further deteriorated its quality.

What action will you take?
I have written to the zonal BBMP officials not to clear the bills of the contractor unless the works were carried out again and the road was properly repaired.