Ring Road neighbours off the road!

Ring Road neighbours off the road!
By Rashmi R Hebbur,DH News Service,Bangalore:
Barring a small stretch of tarred road on one side of Ring Road along the Kanteerava Studio area, there is no effort on the part of BDA to make motorable service roads for the Ring Road neighbourhood...

It’s about five years since the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) formed the Laggere Outer Ring Road. While motorists take a smooth ride on this stretch, residents of most areas falling on either side of the Ring Road are in a lurch. They are facing an unending wait for motorable (usable) service roads.
Barring a small stretch of tarred road on one side of Ring Road along the Kanteerava Studio area, there is no effort on the part of BDA to make motorable service roads for the Ring Road neighbourhood.
The 63-km Ring Road was formed in 2002. Till date, despite residents’ repeated requests, BDA is yet to take up road work.
Residents are seen performing ‘daring stunts’ on mud roads to reach their homes. With slopes ranging up to an altitude of 20 ft from Ring Road at some places, these default service roads are visibly dangerous.
Advocate Prakash Gangir, who has been making frequent representations to BDA seeking early provision of roads, for three years now, said: “BDA officers say the tender has been called and work will start soon. But it has not yet happened.’’
There are many residential localities on either side of this Ring Road - Chowdeshwarinagar, Rajgopalnagar, Kempegowda Layout, Kamalanagar, Premnagar and others. Residents seem to have compromised with the situation, having mastered the art of traversing these roads, which turn more dangerous during monsoon.
Only assurances
BDA Assistant Executive Engineer Vishnukumar, in-charge of Ring Road project, still offered assurances. “We’re at it. We will develop the service roads soon,’’ he said.
“It is a difficult area. Yet, service roads are formed wherever possible,’’ he said, adding BDA had called for tenders during 2006, but cancelled due to “technical reasons”.
He said: “We are awaiting revision of scheduled rates by PWD. The process is currently underway. Once it is done, we will invite exclusive tenders for these roads.’’
He also said service roads for a 1.3-km stretch along Ring Road from Tippagondanahalli water supply mains to Magadi Road will be ready within a month as they are listed under the works of newly-proposed flyover (Magadi Road-ORR Junction flyover).