Downpour hits traffic in Bellandur

Vehicles were struck owing to water-logging in an underpass

In Tulsi Layout at Kasavanahalli, a road that was dug up for laying underground pipelines, but left in a shoddy condition, was reduced to slush.

Heavy rains on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning disrupted traffic in several parts of the city. Motorists in Bellandur, Sarjapur and surrounding areas were badly hit as they attempted to get to work.

Traffic movement was affected for hours due to water-logging in an underpass below the railway track near Bellandur Railway Station Road. A video of vehicles stuck on the inundated road went viral on social media.

“It was only around 11 a.m. on Wednesday that BBMP staff drained the water,” said locals.

Govind, who moved to the area three years ago, said that inundation is a regular occurrence during rain.

Varun Kulkarni, a marketing manager with a private firm, concurred. “Motorists find it very difficult to use Sarjapur Main Road after rains. Potholes and water-logging are making my daily a nightmare,” he said.

Others reiterated their demand that the BBMP improve infrastructure in the area and attend to their grievances.

Vishnu Prasad of Bellandur Development Forum said, “The existing drainage network is filled with debris and mud. Despite repeated complaints, the authorities have done nothing to clear the drains. Kasavanahalli residents have been complaining for more than a year, but no action has been taken."

In Tulsi Layout at Kasavanahalli, the road had been dug up for laying underground pipelines, but has been left in a shoddy condition.

Road near SAP India reduced to slush

On Wednesday morning, movement of traffic towards Graphite India, Hoodi Circle, Whitefield and surrounding areas was badly hit allegedly due to shoddy work by Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom).

On Tuesday, Bescom had dug up the road for underground power cable work. But after the work was completed, it was filled with mud. By evening, the condition of the road worsened following a downpour. Motorists found themselves mired in slush and mud. Many people took to social media to highlight the problem.

A Bescom official claimed that they had sought permission for the work. The traffic police have instructed BBMP to look into the matter.

“Even on Wednesday morning, we had to divert traffic. It was only by 3 p.m. that the road was filled with cement. We have asked the BBMP to initiate action against Bescom and the other agencies concerned,” said the traffic police.

( Inputs by Manasa Raghavendran )