It is a daily nightmare for commuters using the busy stretch of Millers Road from Chandrika Hotel up to the Ambedkar Bhavan Junction.
Thanks to Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board's worn-out, 600-mm diameter main drinking water pipeline, the road is a series of nasty little pools of water. The pipe's joints have burst open at several spots, making driving on the stretch a bone-juddering experience for both motorists and residents of the nearby Vasanthnagar. The leakage has damaged the road, creating pot-holes.
This is a recurring problem and every time the BWSSB repairs the leaks, they crop up again because of the heavy load of traffic. This pipeline supplies drinking water to east Bangalore (Machalibetta, Fraser Town, Benson Town, Pillanna Garden and surrounding areas).
“We are forced to pass through filth every day. The garbage dump on one side of the road gets washed away by the leaking water, spilling it all over the road. We have to manoeuvre through the slush-filled road and avoid the craters,” said C.K. Satish, who frequently uses this road.
Vasanthnagar resident Geetha M. is distressed by the lack of immediate action by officials. “The garbage on the roadsides and sidewalks has piled up, and it is hard to walk through all the water and dirt,” she said.
BWSSB officials say a proposal to replace the pipeline on the stretch is ready. “The old preset concrete pipeline will be replaced by a steel pipe of the same diameter. We have discussed the issue with the traffic police for traffic diversion and will start work as soon as they give us the nod,” a senior BWSSB official said.
Talks were on with the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to restore the road after the pipeline is replaced. “BBMP has taken up work on a drain in front of the Ambedkar Bhavan. We have to coordinate with the palike officials so that all restoration work is taken up simultaneously,” the official said.
Pointing out that in all probability the traffic diversion would be permitted by this weekend, the official said work will take off immediately after that at a cost of nearly Rs. 1 crore.
