Potholes back with a vengeance

Potholes back with a vengeance
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: Move over amusement parks, the roller-coaster ride has just come to the road next to you — with torrential rain receding, potholes are showing up, making the ride on Bangalore roads even more bumpy. Potholes are everywhere: at unexpected corners, deceivingly in the middle of blacktopped road, and at dangerous curves.
Yet, the BBMP considers pothole-filling a “routine and ongoing work’’. BBMP commissioner S Subramanya said: “Blame the torrential rain for new potholes. A majority of the roads are wearing out because they were laid many years ago. We’ve completed pothole-filling of internal roads. We will soon take up arterial and major roads. All roads will be ready by January.’’
At least 100 roads have been identified for black-topping. The BBMP boss admitted: “All major roads are chipping off or caving in. Filling up potholes will serve no purpose. So we decided to re-lay them.’’
Poor drainage, heavy traffic and lack of citizens’ co-operation are cited as reasons for potholes remaining unattended to. “The culprit is waterlogging. After the downpour, water remains stagnant on the road surface and damages it. Clogged shoulder drains and road digging prevent draining out of water. Another hitch is the ever-flowing traffic; we get only four hours in the night to fill up potholes.’’
The BBMP, in its first meeting with governor Rameshwar Thakur on Friday, apprised him of the shortage of resources to cater to a city that has grown from 220 sqkm to 780 sqkm in under a year. The governor has asked the BBMP to make a detailed presentation on the status of all projects, staff requirement and resources. Now that the governor has taken over the reins, will the roads regain their sheen and promise a smooth ride?
ROADS IN A MESS
Old Madras Road (opposite Gurdwara) Sadanandanagar Road (Near NGEF, Byappanahalli railway station) Banaswadi Main Road, Miller’s Road, Double Road, Wind Tunnel Road Lingarajpuram Road, Sanjay Nagar Main Road, Lalbagh Road, Dinnur Main Road, Road connecting RV Engg College and Kengeri
SOLUTION
Quality audit for newly-laid roads Better and regular maintenance of roads Utility ducts to prevent road digging Upkeep of road drains to eliminate waterlogging