There was another traffic jam on the busy Mysore Road on Friday morning. But this time, it wasn’t just the seemingly never-ending infrastructure projects that were to blame: Mayor B.S. Sathyanarayana and Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike Commissioner M. Lakshminarayan, accompanied by a posse of officials and councillors, chose to inspect the road-widening project at the peak hour.
The team was there to inspect the project, which is progressing at a snail’s pace, and learn about the bottlenecks along the road, such as near Gali Anjaneya junction. However, they only added to the problems faced by hundreds of commuters. The team walked along the stretch, with the traffic police stopping vehicles on both sides of the road for them.
Following the inspection, Mr. Sathyanarayana and Mr. Lakshminarayan directed the contractor to complete the road-widening work between Sirsi Circle and Gali Anjaneya temple by November-end.
The Mayor lambasted BBMP officials and contractors for the inordinate delay in completing the work that began more than three years ago. He threatened to recommend that the contractor be blacklisted and payment withheld.
As there are transformers on both sides of the road, the BBMP is having trouble constructing drains. Bescom officials have been directed to convert the transformers into single pole ones. The contractor claimed that once BSNL and BWSSB shift utilities, the widening work could be completed. Mr. Lakshminarayan said BBMP had already paid agencies to shift utilities and had given the contractor several extensions to complete the work.
Other facilities
In exchange for the land acquired from the Muslim burial ground for road-widening, the BBMP will construct a water tank.
There were requests for a public toilet at the Christian burial ground at Ashwathkatte Cross Road. Officials were directed to look into the request.
The Mayor directed officials to clean the bus bay nearby. They were also asked to clear debris from the road and submit photographic proof. Deputy Mayor Indira and some councillors were present.
