Bengaluru: The eight-lane, signal-free corridor project with multiple loops, underpasses and under-road bridges between Okalipuram Junction and Fountain Circle was meant to provide free movement and faster connectivity for commuters between core city areas and west Bengaluru. But with constant delays and lax safety measures at the construction sites, the project has turned into a nightmare for the residents, commuters and pedestrians.
The areas where the bridge and underpass are constructed are not covered with a fence, and have cavernous pits filled with water. Vehicle users, especially two-wheeler riders, face the danger of falling into these pits and suffering life-threatening injuries. The construction area is surrounded by debris, loaded trucks and bulldozers, forcing pedestrians to walk on the road, risking their lives. Venkatesh, a regular commuter, said, “When the authorities take up such construction works, they have to ensure that people are safe.”
Sunanda, a 39-year-old slum dweller, said that they have been breathing the dust-filled air for the last three years. “The construction space is open all the time and there is no safe pedestrian walkway to cross the road. I have little children and I am scared to send them to play as it so dangerous with pits dug and the trucks working,” she said. Lakshmi, a commuter, pointed out that no streetlights work on the stretch and riding in the night was a horrific experience.
A supervisor at the construction site, Sarojith Mangal, said that they have tried hard to put safety measures in place. “We have followed all the safety guidelines prescribed by the BBMP. The Palike has given us a congested area and we are working within that space,” he said. Mr Ashwin Mahesh, an urban expert, said, “This is the common problem in the city. The government should think it as a mobility project instead of a road project. The overall focus should be on the mobility contract which provides the guidance on how people will commute during such construction works. Basically, the conception of the project is limited which leads to mobility problems.”
City Mayor Sampath Raj said, “We inspected the area last week, and I clearly instructed the project managers to follow all the safety measures required, such as barricades, iron railings, signals and reflectors. Safety is very important. On Tuesday, I will visit the site personally and see that all the safety measures are in place." The cost of the project was initially estimated to be Rs 115 crore, which has ballooned to Rs 226.83 crore. The deadline for the project was first set for December 2016, but the work is going on at a snail’s pace even now.
