Bengaluru: As if traffic congestion in Koramangala and Intermediate Ring Road was not enough, the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (KPTCL) has added to the misery of motorists by digging up the Koramangala 80 Feet Road to lay 220/66KV underground cables.
People commuting on the stretch from Sony junction to Income Tax office narrated nightmarish experiences and pile-up of buses on the road. There is a heavy flow of buses as BMTC has a major depot on the stretch. Sources said that the works will continue for at least another week as KPTCL has to lay large-sized cables.
Mukhesh R., a techie, said that civic agencies like BBMP, BWSSB, KPTCL and Bescom execute works shoddily without any scientific thought. “Why should motorists be subjected to such a harrowing experience? The civic bodies must be little organised and make life easier for tax-paying citizens,” he said.
He suggested that alternative routes should be suggested before such major arterial roads are blocked. As the road houses the income tax office, BMTC commercial complex and several offices, there is a heavy flow of traffic.
Even before commencing the works, KPTCL had placed big rolls of cable, reducing the motorable space on the road. A few weeks ago, Bescom authorities dug up a portion of the road right at the bus stop and a spot where BMTC buses take a turn. “Since the width of the road had been shrunk, pedestrians and motorists had a harrowing time,” he recalled.
An employee of the Income Tax office, on condition of anonymity, said that the sudden showers only made things worse for motorists. “The stretch of just about 500 metres took over half-an-hour on Monday as there was a heavy rain in the evening. These agencies should be better organised and execute works quickly to ensure that the public are not hassled,” he said.
A senior KPTCL officer said, “The roads have been dug up to lay 220 KV cables as the old 66 KV wires are being removed. This will help us in giving uninterrupted power supply to Koramangala, Adugodi, Neelasandra, Ejipura and surrounding areas. The work will be completed in a week and this project was taken up to ensure that there is a regular power supply. The area has developed with many companies in the vicinity. We should ensure better quality of power to them."
