Pothole deaths: KG George denies, says they got hit by vehicles from behind

Bengaluru: Pothole-ridden roads in the city have been claiming lives. The Mysore Road stretch alone has taken three lives in just one week. But Bengaluru Development Minister K.J. George, who along with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, inspected the accident spots on Sirsi Circle Flyover and at Nayandahalli said that the deaths of three people were because they were hit by vehicles from behind and had nothing to do with potholes.

“It is true that roads are pothole-ridden because of incessant rains. Work to fill potholes has been taken up. We are waiting for the rains to recede. Once the rains stop, in a matter of 15 days we will fill all potholes,” Mr George said.

‘Elevated corridor opposed by anti-B’lureans’
Mr George, addressing the media, said that discussions are going on for elevated corridor project and the government is mobilising resources for it. “Though the elevated corridor is a good project, a few people are opposing it. They were the ones who opposed the steel bridge project too. Hundreds people hold placards and oppose the project. They are anti-Bengalureans who are out to spoil the city's image,” he said.

CM Siddaramaiah inspects the condition of city roads on Monday. (Photo: DC)

White topping works at Rs 972 crore
Mr George also inaugurated white topping works of 29 prominent roads and six prominent junctions running up to 93.47 km. The packages, under the chief minister's Nagarothana Scheme, will be taken up at a cost of Rs 374 crore for package 1 and Rs 598.69 crore for package 2. "We have chosen six roads stretching up to 10 km adjoining Majestic area for white topping under the TenderSure model. White topped roads last up to 25-30 years." he said.

Mysuru Road, Hosur Road, Tumakuru Road, Kanakapura Road, Bannerghatta Road, Sarjapur Road and others will be taken up for white topping. A total of 93.47 km of roads will be developed in another eight months and all roads in the city will be white topped in another 3-4 years, he said.

Toppings explained
With the weatherman predicting rains till October 20, the BBMP has opted to use cold mix to fill potholes. But what is hot mix, cold mix and white topping? A BBMP engineer explains

1. White topping
Whitetopping is a portland cement concrete used for road surfacing. Unlike blacktopped roads, white topped roads are effective in the long run as they are free from complaints like potholes and maintenance for at least 30 years

2. Difference between hot and cold mix

• When blacktopped roads develop potholes, the BBMP fills them up with hot or cold mix. In hot mix, asphalt and aggregates (crushed stones) are mixed and heated up to 150 degrees Celsius. The identified pothole is cleaned.
• Hot mix is poured into the pothole and then rolled. But to take up this method, roads should be free of moisture and the mix has to be poured at 100 degrees Celsius.
• On the other hand, cold mix is cement mixed with aggregates and filled into the craters and levelled.
• Cold mix gets washed away during rains and also cost more, while hot mix lasts longer
  

Potholes: Ayukta notice to BBMP
Taking cognisance of deaths due to potholes in the city, Lokayukta Justice P. Vishwanatha Shetty has taken up a suo motu case against 55 officials, including the BBMP Commissioner Manjunath Prasad and BMRCL MD Pradeep Singh Kharola, and has sought an action taken report within two weeks.

The Lokayukta issued notices to the officials on Friday, asking them to be present on October 23 for the hearing. The notice issued by the Lokayukta has also sought explanation from BBMP officials on money spent in each zone of the BBMP on roads and potholes in the last one year. Further, the Lokayukta has also directed the BBMP to set up an inquiry commission to ascertain whether accidents happened because of potholes on Mysuru Road, in which three people were killed including two women.

“I have taken judicial action by issuing notice to 55 officials of the BBMP and the BMRCL, as people are angry over the state of roads and the way they roads are maintained. In the interest of general public who use roads, the BBMP should fix all potholes at the earliest. It is unfortunate that people are dying on roads because of potholes and victims should seek compensation if there is truth in the pothole theory. Incessant rains should not be an excuse for the BBMP to ignore the condition of roads. Action needs to be initiated not only against officials but also against contractors,” Justice Shetty said.