However, some persons with political links raised objection when the office-bearers of Kamaraj Road Traders, Temples and Residents' Association performed the puja on the bridge. But the residents ignored them and went ahead with their programme. The association had to take the initiative for formally opening the bridge as the officials of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) expressed their inability to open it formally in view of the code of conduct in force for the elections as politicians could not be invited for the opening ceremony.
Association president Pradeep Kumar R. said work on the bridge began on November 2 and was slated for completion by February 25. However, the deadline was rescheduled for March 15.
Meanwhile, two-wheelers were plying on the bridge for the past one week even as the protection wall on either side of the bridge was yet to be built. Although the bridge was being used by the people, failure of the contractor to build protection wall on one side of the bridge was a hazard for the pedestrians. The residents on either side of the drain were worried about the non-removal of construction material and waste dumped inside the drain near the bridge. “There is every chance of flooding of the houses on either side of the drain if it rains heavily,” said Shekhar, a resident.
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When contacted, BBMP officials said the contractor had been asked to build protection wall at the earliest and was also told to clear the waste from the drain.