Bengaluru: Whether you are a motorist or pedestrian, it calls for rare expertise and balance to negotiate through the numerous potholes dotting the 8th Cross Road in HAL 2nd stage.
The road has been in a mess for the last 3-4 years and residents recall many instances to rushing to the rescue of motorists and even pedestrians who got injured due to the poor condition of the road.
"The condition of the 8th cross road, between 12th and 13th main, has been in a bad state due to potholes. Many accidents have taken place in the past four years, especially those involving senior citizens as pedestrians. As there is no footpath on either side, the pedestrians have no alternative," said Deepa, a resident.
"Children going to school, accompanied by their parents, too face the danger. Residents take their children to the National Public School and have to use this dangerous road, that sees heavy traffic," Deepa added.
With Sai Darshan Road, which runs perpendicular to 8th cross, being one-way traffic jams are frequent and residents complain of high decibel honking during peak hours. They add that a single accident on this lane can cause a girdlock on the whole Sai Darshan Road.
The resident welfare association claims there is an added nuisance of illegal parking of school buses. "The National Public School grounds has space to park its buses and it is illegal for them to park in front of our homes, blocking the traffic. We have brought this to their notice, but they refuse to move them, even during peak hours," complained, Chitra another resident.
Aruna Newton, President of the RWA said, "The drain pipes are too small and cannot handle the pressure. These have to be replaced first. When it rains the road becomes flooded and drivers cannot see the potholes."
She felt road repairs should be done only after fixing the drain pipes. "Once the digging and replacement of drain pipes are done, only then can they begin asphalting and building pavements on either side. Right now, with the bad road and traffic pedestrians have literally no place to walk," Aruna added.
She earlier raised the issue of waste water from illegal commercial joints clogging the drains in the area.
Former DG&IGP S.N.S Murthy, who resides in the area, said, “The drains are not able to handle the load. They are old and placed on either sides of the road. There is no connection to the main drain pipe, which is why these smaller ones get blocked. This connection has to be made, so it does not overflow onto the road," he explained.
Interview with MLA Raghu Excerpts.
Whythe 8th cross road in HAL 2nd stage has been in a bad shape for the last 4 years?
The contractor for this road was fixed years ago. He had to handle other works in the same ward, because of which this road got ignored. We also did not have enough funds all this while.
What will be done about the drain pipes?
These pipes are small, so the new pipes will have to be of bigger width. The Assistant Engineer will undertake desilting of the side drains, followed by which leveling of cement slabs and construction of the pavement will be done.
What can be done about the parking of school buses?
The Executive Engineer will write a notification to the traffic police to take action on illegal parking of school buses on residential roads. They must be parked within school grounds or in a separate space outside.
What will be done now?
For three wards in this area, Rs 17 crore have been allotted. Only Rs 25 lakh has been allotted for road, drain and footpath work, by Nagarottana scheme, for 8th cross road. On April 11, we will come again to inspect, survey and begin the work. The amount will not be enough, but we will adjust against the allotment for other lanes to prioritize this. After the drain work is done, we can begin asphalting.
