Once revered, now neglected roads of Bangalore

Once revered, now neglected roads of Bangalore


A pothole near Ulsoor Road in Bangalore.
Y Maheswara ReddyFirst Published : 07 Sep 2009 04:15:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 07 Sep 2009 08:03:32 AM IST
BANGALORE: Airports can be such great levellers. Until the time the HAL Airport was functioning, Cubbon and Dickenson Roads’ claim to fame was them being the most wellmaintained roads of Bangalore.
As soon as the semblance of a pothole was visible, it was plugged because the roads were used by the high and mighty on a daily basis. However, ever since the Bengaluru International Airport started flying operations, these roads were no longer deemed important and, thus, the potholes on the roads.
If the number of potholes on Cubbon Road, between the signal near the Army School and Manipal Centre, is any indication, the road is no longer safe for two-wheeler riders to use in the night during monsoon.
What’s more, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) employees regularly forget to fill the pits properly whenever they dig the road to plug water leakages. One need not look beyond the pit dug by the BWSSB near Adiga’s Hotel on Dickenson Road to imagine the officials’ apathy.
The pit is big enough for a two-wheeler to get stuck.
If you go a little further on Ulsoor Road, the road between Ulsoor Gurudwara and Murphy Road junctions is another potential disaster zone. The street lights that dot the road are never switched on during the night.
It may be recalled that P R Ramesh, who was the Mayor of Bangalore City Corporation in 2004, wanted to impose a penalty of Rs 1,000 on the engineers concerned for every unfilled pothole found in his jurisdiction within BCC limits. Before his decision could deliver decisive results the civic body’s term came to an end. It has been three years and no mayor or corporator has heard the public's grievances on civic amenities.
When contacted Subhan, Assistant Executive Engineer of Shivajinagar Division had promised to fill the potholes immediately.
However, M V Tavane, Assistant Executive Engineer of C V Ramannagar Division, has expressed his helplessness.
“I had requested the traffic police to co-operate with the BCC to fill the potholes. They are asking us to fill the potholes during the night. If they cooperate with us during daytime it will be easy for us to fill the potholes.” Meanwhile, Bharatlal Meena, Commissioner, Bangalore City Corporation has promised to direct the authorities concerned to fill the potholes.
Even the most optimistic would find this promise hollow. At least the infamous precedences suggest so.