We can have dead-ends for bad roads in state

We can have dead-ends for bad roads in state
The Times of India


Recently, when Koramangala residents asked the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike for better roads by filling up potholes, they were informed there was no money, says Prema Rao, a senior citizen. Thanks to the Lok Ayukta who caught BMP officials red handed taking bribes, the public now knows how these project allocations get abused.
If you think all Indian roads are bad because of corrupt officials, think again. In India’s three million kilometre network of roads, there are some exceptions to this perception: Take the Electronic City-Hosur highway, Mumbai-Pune Expressway (MPE), Ahmedabad-Baroda, the Delhi Noida Expressway, or the NH-4 Bangalore-Pune highway, you will experience smooth rides on these roads.

Some of these highways have fencing to prevent animals from straying onto the road. The tunnel section of the MPE even has phone booths for stranded motorists. In the scenic Panvel-Pune section, an elevated roadway has been built to bypass crowded cities. The tunnels are illuminated and have large fans for ventilation. India not only has some high-quality roads, its engineers and construction companies have put together excellent roadways abroad.

Bangalore’s old-timers say such excellence marked the roads in the Cantonment. The original stretch of Cubbon Road, from the present Manipal Centre to the Raj Bhavan, was built in the ‘40s by the Civil & Military station authorities, it is said. If we could do it in the past, and if Indian construction firms can do it efficiently abroad, how is that we have such shabby roads in our own country? Motorists, who pay hefty amounts on MV tax, insurance, cess on petrol, and pedestrians are raising these questions.

From exercising the minds of tax-payers, citizens are taking up the road issue in all available the media, filing PILs, and even taking to the street demanding answers. Concerned citizens have been doggedly taking these complaints to the government.

True, the state of the roads has been made worse by downpour last year. But to start with, they were nothing to write home about. Any number of complaints haven’t moved the authorities to action. Even if action is taken, it is a make-shift solution.

Let’s listen to some voices: “I read that additional funds are required to finish the repairs on state highways and major district roads by December,” says John Ravi Chacko, adding: “With such a short target deadline and the enormity of work on hand, even if the money is made available, I don’t see how this can be done. Is it another ploy to lead us up the garden path?”

“The public has the right to know if allocations are being judiciously used,” says retired engineer S Rama Rao. “Before projects are finalised, people need to be taken into confidence. What is the modus operandi for appointing contractors? What are their credentials? What performance guarantees and warranties are they offering?”

“Is it possible for these projects to be monitored at all stages — design, implementation, and finishing — by experts to ensure quality work?” asks Dr T R G Anand.

It is clearly evident that it is not just the IT sector but everyone is concerned about the state of our roads, and the need to bring about meaningful changes in their construction, maintenance and repairs.

To keep the citizens informed about the road work, the Karnataka Right to Information Act perhaps has a role: publicise information on proposed projects, ongoing works, project specifications, estimated costs, tendering process, bids received and awarding of contracts. They need to know whether leading, efficient and reputed construction companies have been invited to take part in bidding? With that, it will be possible to optimally utilise the rich talent and expertise available locally, get better value for money, and produce quality roads all over the state.