Bengaluru: The city is midway through monsoon and already, the roads have developed big craters putting the lives of commuters, especially two-wheeler riders, and pedestrians in grave danger.
These ubiquitous potholes seem not have caught the attention of DyCM Dr G. Parameshwar, who went around the city on Monday and Tuesday, trying to address citizen issues in different parts.
Before the onset monsoon, the BBMP had made a promise that all potholes across the city would be filled, but it seems to have conveniently forgotten that. The Palike did make an attempt to fill the potholes some weeks ago, but the shoddy execution has ensured that the craters are back to haunt the people, said Mr Narendra Kumar, a resident of Banasawadi.
“You just cannot miss the big pothole on Old Madras Road near the Swami Vivekananda Metro Station. It could easily measure 10x10 feet, and both the BBMP and Metro authorities have not made any attempt to fill it. The pothole is a death trap for motorists, as it is on one of the main thoroughfares,” he said.
Old Madras Road, New Thipasandra Main Road, Indiranagar 12 and 13 Mains, Ulsoor Main Road and OTC Road are just a few major stretches across the city that are riddled with potholes.
Forget places on the outskirts, the BBMP has not even taken care of roads close to its head office. At the Silver Jubilee Road-SP Road junction, which is a stone’s throw away from the offices of the mayor and commissioner, commuters bounce through a big pothole, but the BBMP does not seem to care. “We keep seeing accidents at the spot. Thousands of vehicles pass through this road every day as it is an electronics hub, but the pothole has not been filled. Many people have escaped death narrowly,” said Mr Maneesh, a trader nearby.
BBMP sources claimed that pothole filling and asphalting work has begun in many areas. “Some of the roads are covered under maintenance clause and we will send notices to contractors concerned soon,” they said.
