Hi-tech city's pothole problem

Pothole on Bangalore's roads

Hi-tech city's pothole problem
By Habib Beary, BBC

Bangalore is tackling an estimated 60,000 potholes
Bangalore is often described as India's Silicon Valley. But this beacon of hi-tech excellence is facing a low-tech problem - potholes in the road.

The mayor of this southern Indian city is so fed up with potholes that he has decided to fine the city's engineers the 1,000 rupees ($22) for every one he finds.Mayor PR Ramesh said the fine on the engineers and officials of the city corporation would be for a dereliction of duty.

Engineers say the fine system will be unworkable.The corporation launched its own campaign this month to rid the city of an estimated 60,000 potholes. It had set a deadline of 27 September.

But one engineer said: "This is almost an impossible task. We have had so many deadlines in the past."

'Complaints keep coming'

Public works minister HD Revanna has also declared a war on potholes across the state but officials admit it has been a losing battle. The mayor was undeterred, saying: "Complaints keep coming on the state of roads in the city. I want to hold officials responsible and make them accountable."

Thousands of people held a demonstration recently to protest against the condition of roads in and around the city.The poor state of Bangalore infrastructure - bad roads, traffic jams and power cuts - has convinced one of India's richest men, Wipro chairman Azim Premji, to take his expansion plans to other cities.

The news of the potholes fines comes as the Bangalore authorities have announced plans for a super-fast highway to Electronics City, the home to several leading companies such as IBM, Motorola, Intel, Infosys and Wipro.