Not just us, BWSSB, other civic agencies responsible for potholes, says BBMP

Bengaluru: The BBMP, after pulled up by the Karnataka High Court for not achieving zero-pothole target in the city, has claimed that it is not solely responsible for the pathetic condition of roads, but also the BWSSB and other civic agencies.

The BBMP claimed that the BWSSB and other departments dig up roads for civic works and leave them uncovered resulting in potholes and bad roads. But in the end, the BBMP is being pulled up for it.

A senior BBMP officer said, “The BWSSB is the main culprit as they dig up roads and cover them up shoddily leaving huge caters. We had already asked other civic agencies to submit a letter before taking up works and only after the permission is given, they were allowed dig up roads. But they have failed to follow the protocol. We will ask the mayor and BBMP commissioner to issue a circular to all the departments, saying they should obtain prior permission before digging up roads and also to cover them up properly after finishing works.”

He said, “We will ask the mayor to ensure that the BBMP inspects the spots after these departments finish their works. With this, we can keep tabs and pull up officials concerned for shoddy works.”

Another officer said that leaks from water pipes are also one of the main reasons for potholes. “Large quantities of water leak from underground pipes loosening the asphalt and creating craters. We have repeatedly asked the BWSSB to look into the issue, but they have not done anything. We have also reported about water pipe leaks to the mayor, who has assured us that she will call a meeting with the BWSSB officials soon.”

If other agencies do not take prior permission, the BBMP will take legal action, an officer said.