The nearly two-kilometre-long stretch of Hennur Road, which links areas such as Horamavu, Kothanur and Narayanapura, has hardly any asphalt left. Neglect coupled with BWSSB’s digging of the road to lay pipes to supply Cauvery water has reduced the road to a dirt track. With monsoon having set in, the road has been reduced to a cesspool and poses a great hazard to motorists
Bengaluru: After missing numerous deadlines the government finally threw open the Hennur flyover, but it has done little to mitigate the woes of road users.
“Three months earlier the government inaugurated the flyover with much pomp and show, but that has done nothing to ease the traffic situation, as they had previously dug up the streets to lay Cauvery water pipes.” remarked K.S. Samuel, a local resident.
The Hennur flyover spans less than a kilometre and it took more than eight years to be completed.
The Hennur Road is a major link road to areas such as Horamavu, Kothanur and Narayanapura. It is also an alternate road to the Bengaluru International Airport.
Those residing in Hormavu, Kothanur and Bagalur use this road to enter Bengaluru city. The two-kilometre stretch is in a pathetic state filled with potholes and open storm water drains and poses a danger to motorists.
In addition, the road was dug up for the lay pipes to supply Cauvery water in the area. Though the local residents have complained to BBMP authorities numerous times, they have fallen on deaf ears.
With the arrival of monsoon the roads turn into cesspools even when there is a moderate downpour, and for two-wheeler users it turns into a treacherously slippery ride.
An auto rickshaw driver explained that once the vehicles coming from the flyover and under the flyover merge, it is very difficult to navigate, due to high traffic volume and poor condition of the road. The road users vie among each other to stay on the more serviceable part of the road.
“We have already requested BBMP countless times, but they have failed to take up any initiative. This proves how negligent the BBMP corporators are to the lives of the people who brought them to power. It’s high time that the BBMP acts to salvage the crumbling infrastructure,” said Chittaranjan, a local resident.
Numerous residents welfare associations have also taken up the matter with the BBMP, but to no avail.
“The road is filled with loose soil, gravel and debris. When vehicles move on this road they kick up so much dust that sometimes it almost blinds two-wheeler riders, thereby making them vulnerable to accidents,” said Ram, who owns a shop along the Hennur Road.
He further stated, “There are no signs of a proper asphalted road, but just a road filled with mud as far as the eye can see.” There are also no proper streetlights and motorists find themselves groping in dark from one pothole to another.
Interview with Mayor Sampath Raj
The Hennur Road is in a pathetic condition. What plans does the BBMP have to salvage it?
I have received a lot of complaints regarding Hennur Road. I want to let the people know that the budget for the same has been approved and we are awaiting the final approval on July 27. I assure you that by the first week of July the road will undergo repairs.
What is the BBMP going to do about the bars functioning in the area?
We will erect barricades on the footpaths to prevent inebriated people from wandering onto roads. We will also make sure that the pubs and bars do not function beyond permitted time.
The storm water drains at many places in Hennur are broken. What remedial measures are being taken?
Funds for emergency situations will be allocated to carry out repairs. We will ensure that storm drains are fixed.
