Newly laid Koramangala Road dug up

Newly laid Koramangala Road dug up
BMP Official ‘Justifies’ It, BWSSB Says It Had No Role
The Times of India

Bangalore: Barely four days after the 80 Feet Road in Koramangala was laid, a project under World Bank aid, it was dug up right in the centre on Friday. The stretch at the junction of 1st Cross ST Bed and 12th Main, Koramangala, now boasts of a deep trench — 3 metres long, 1.5 feet wide and 2.5 feet deep. Residents are furious that this newly laid road has been ‘vandalised’.

While BWSSB, the suspect, claims it had nothing to do with it, BMP AEE in Ward 67, Puttaswamy Gowda, came out with a bizarre explanation. Denying that any permission was given for digging, he said: “The building contractor of a commercial complex had sought permission to lay a sanitary line a year ago. Later, there was a complaint that the line was damaged by a JCB during road works. The portion dug up was to check the damage. But we have not given any permission.’’

He added for good measure: “It (sanitary line repair) had to be done sometime, the road had to be dug up.’’
Around 10.30 am, residents found some workers digging the stretch. The labourers told them a sanitary line was being drawn for a commercial complex across the road. When a road contractor and residents threatened that it would be reported to authorities, the workers scooted.

Residents allege that BWSSB workmen were involved. Srinivas Reddy, an engineer with Vinayaka Developers and Builders who have

taken up the project, said: “Asphalting of the junction would have been completed within two days. We’ve lodged a complaint with BWSSB.’’

BWSSB assistant executive engineer, Koramangala (South), Gangadhar, said, “No permission was given. It is the BMP which permits road digging.’’ Asked about a BWSSB truck parked at the spot, he said, “The men said they had stopped to check what was happening. They were attending some work.’’

Girish Krishnamurthy, a resident, said some uniformed men standing near a BWSSB truck were supervising the digging. “When we protested, they left with workers.”

The BMP has announced a committee to crack down on unauthorised road cutting by civic agencies and individuals. Yet digging goes on.