When a stretch of the Hennur Main Road under the Lingarajapuram flyover was concretised, the local residents and shopkeepers were elated that the area has been rid of the rain-induced muck in one stroke.
Though the contractor fixed a heavy duty grill with galvanised iron plates across a storm water drain under the flyover, it has become a danger zone for pedestrians.
Lourdh Mary, a schoolgirl, got trapped in the railing and sustained laceration in the leg a few days ago. She had to have eight stitches near her right knee and is still in pain.
Mary, who is a student of VIII Standard in Priya English School, said: “I was returning home around 10 p.m. after buying groceries when I did not notice the gap in the railing and stepped on it. I was trapped and the passersby rushed to my rescue.”
Samuel Prem Kumar, a resident of the area, said: “The local shopkeepers told the contractor that there is no passage for the rainwater and wanted him to build a proper vent. But he came up with this solution and told us that it has worked in places like Malleswaram. But as the traffic is heavy and light commercial vehicles and cars pass through this stretch, the rods between the plates have given way causing gaps. Recently, an old woman stepped on it and got trapped and was rushed to a hospital immediately.”
There are two schools — Infant Jesus High School and Priya English School — located on the road and children walk on this particular stretch everyday exposing themselves to this hazard, he said.
The shopkeepers said that at least two or three people get injured every week while walking on this “jaali”, and it has become routine for them to help them. They said the matter has been brought to the notice of the councillor-elect Jyothi Ganesh Reddy.
Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike Assistant Executive Engineer Virupakshaiah said he would attend to the problem immediately.
