Spare roads of ‘development’

Spare roads of ‘development’
And Now Read Development As: Digging For Optic Cables,Traffic Density
The Times of India

Bangalore: What makes MG Road one of the best roads insofar as technical specifications go? Regular upkeep by asphalting surfaces, potholes attended to regularly, continuous flow of traffic all times of the day and no ‘ravelling’ or gradual wearing of the top surface.

In contrast why is an Anand Rao Circle, which handles traffic density of 10,000 passenger car units (PCUs) per hour, in such a terrible condition? As road experts aver, it is because the road is prone to ‘development’ work, digging by OFC (optic fibre cable) companies, and no regular maintenance.

Responding to the call for better roads, BCC engineers are finding ways to step up the quality of the 4,000-odd-km city roads. Most arterial and subarterial city roads are in a pathetic state because of unprecedented traffic density.

Capt Raja Rao, one of the members of the expert panel on roads set up by the high court, explained: “In any main road, it is the edge which will be severely damaged because that is the place where vehicles brake often, buses stop, friction is more and consequently the damage is more. Whereas in the centre of roads the damage is minimal.’’

How good a road is going to be depends on how the design is laid out initially vis-a-vis the layer of bitumen, macadam, coat of slurry seal or fog seal. And maintenance thereon. A BCC official admits the corporation has so far done only damage-control and not taken any preventive maintenance action. Meaning, roads are attended to after battered by rain or ravaged by construction activity but are not strengthened beforehand.

Experts meet: To address the nitty-gritty of the Bangalore roads, the high court had appointed a panel of three civic experts — R Jaiprasad, Capt Raja Rao, Balakrishna. They had their first official meeting on Friday and are slated to chalk out a plan of action for maintenance and upkeep of roads that come under BCC limits.

However, priorities include networking with Residents Welfare Associations to hear out their problems and suggestions.

Traffic density and road damage
Kinds of road damage
Inadequate bonding between old and newly added bituminous surface due to inadequate tack coat Road opening by various utility agencies left unrestored Shrinkage with age, ravelling, alligator cracking, hairline cracks

AND THE ROADS ARE:
Here’s the short-term plan: 19 roads will be taken up for upgradation under three major corridors.

Hosur Road-Sarjapur Road-Koramangala-Madivala corridor -
6 roads:
Lower Agaram Road - Richmond Road to Ejipura Main Road;
80 feet Road to Hosur Road to Forum;
100 feet Intermediate Ring Road to Sarjapur Road;
100 feet Intermediate Ring Road to 80 feet Road to Sarjapur Road;
100 feet Intermediate Ring Road to 20th Main Road;
5th Cross Road.

Airport Road-Indiranagar corridor:
5 roads.
Airport Road - 100 ft junction to Suranjan Das Road junction;
Old Madras Road to Airport Road via Kodihalli;
Suranjan Das Road to 80 feet Road;
Thippasandra Main Road;
12th Main Road - 80 feet Road to 100 feet Road to I Main.

Central Business District:
8 roads.
Brigade Road junction to Trinity Church junction;
Trinity junction to Taj Residency to Dickenson Road;
MG Road junction to Kamaraj Road junction;
Brigade Road junction to Richmond Road junction;
Road from Mayo Hall junction to Garuda Mall to Lifestyle junction;
Primrose Road, Brunton Road, Church Street;
Vittal Mallya Road, Lavelle Road, Madras Bank Road;
Museum Road, Hayes Road, Convent Road.