All these days, it has been an excruciating commute for regulars between Ulsoor and Byappanahalli on Old Madras Road, thanks to horrendous potholes. So, when the stretch saw workers going on an overdrive filling and smoothing over the craters on Tuesday, commuters sent up a silent thank you even though they endured a massive traffic jam.
Hospital inauguration
So, has a newfound consciousness of road safety gripped the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP)? Alas, no. This new pothole-free stretch between Ulsoor Main Road via C.M.H. Road, Indiranagar and Byappanahalli is all thanks to Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar who is inaugurating the Sir C.V. Raman General Hospital on 80 Ft. Road, Indiranagar, on Wednesday. As soon as Mr. Shettar’s programme was scheduled, the traffic police reportedly wrote to the BBMP to immediately swing into action and repair the stretch. Early Tuesday, BBMP officials fired up their engines, working double time to fill all potholes, jamming traffic on this arterial road.
Motorists commuting to work said it took them anything between an extra 30 to 45 minutes to reach their destination as there is no avenue to take an alternative route. However, business was good for vendors of hands-free sets, toys and guavas as bored or hungry motorists inched their way forward.
During peak hour
When contacted, Indiranagar (Traffic) Inspector M.C. Kavitha said that personnel from the Ulsoor, Indiranagar, Byappanahalli and K.R. Puram Traffic Police Stations had been posted to monitor vehicles. She conceded it was a tough task with the repair being taken up during peak hours.
In defence of move
Senior BBMP officials conceded that the Major Roads Department had been tasked with the repair ahead of Mr. Shettar’s visit. “But this will also help thousands of commuters,” he said defensively. “With the new cold mix technology, there is no need for the road to be closed. Once the pothole is filled, traffic can be permitted immediately.” However, as a jaded commuter who has seen any number of repairs on the stretch pointed out, it remains to be seen how long this one will last.
