Tell us why this street should not be called Pothole Road

Tell us why this street should not be called Pothole Road

Years of neglect has battered and bruised not only this road's ego, but its concrete. What prevents the civic authorities from repairing Vittal Mallya Road, one of Bangalore's high streets? Odeal D'Souza and Mohankumar BN find out.

Odeal D'Souza and Mohankumar BN

Rocky ride: Yes, this is part of Vittal Mallya Road; it's a stark reminder of the apathy of Bangalore's civic authorities.

A road that enrages you to the core
Welcome to Vittal Mallya Road. This place is home to some of the movers and shakers of the city, nay, the nation itself. Yet, not even the vestiges of its former glory are visible now. Years of neglect has battered and bruised not only this road's ego, but its concrete, tar and mud.
Pedestrians can't find the footpath; motorists drive on, what could be better described as a minefield. The road is riddled with potholes; drains along the road are left open, posing risks to anyone who ventures along this path.
What once used to be touted as a model city road when the UB Group was the caretaker, passing the responsibility on to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagar Palike has led to the pathetic state of this road today.
Sarala Das, a store manager at Vittal Mallya Road, says: "These drains are a major irritant for anyone who has to visit the place. The stink is horrible. Dirt gets piled up here all the time. And the drain next to our outlet is open ever since I can remember.
"We have, individually and collectively, have complained to BBMP officials to clean up these drains. But you know how they pussyfoot on matters such as these. Things turn worse when it rains. When water fills the drain, the mess seeps on to the road. Then, this proud road becomes unimaginably filthy. I wish someone could intervene and improve things."
Ravi Shankar, a businessman, says: "This road needs to be spruced up at the earliest. I can't figure it out despite this place being home to the wealthy, the road is left to rot like this.
"When it rains, the road instantly turns into a big gutter as drainage spills over to the road. Even traffic policemen are left with no choice than guiding the traffic, standing in the slash and filth. Can't we have a solution to this?"
Yamini, a shopper, says:"The place has some chic stores. But shopping has become an unpleasant task as the drains stink like hell. All these garbage lying around puts me off, actually. Does anyone care?"
Suresh, a professional, gives his take. "I'm a regular here. The road near UB City is in a mess. I'm told when this road was laid first, it was one of the best in India. Now you look at its condition.
"Why are civic authorities not taking any measures to make things easier for commuters here?
Traffic is always moving very slowly on this road and the narrowness of the road does not help either."