Relief from pothole-ridden roads has only been temporary for citizens in many parts of Bengaluru, after the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) was forced to act following intervention from the High Court of Karnataka this September.
Residents complained that the recently filled potholes had already given way in several localities, even as the civic body is rushing to fill as many potholes as possible before the next court hearing on October 23.
One case in point is the stretch between Udupi Garden signal and Jayadeva Hospital junction near BTM Layout. Residents said the potholes were difficult to negotiate even for four-wheelers.
Complaints have also been raised about the road leading to Yeshwantpur from CNR Rao underpass, Bazaar Street in Ulsoor, Kanakapura Road after Konanakunte junction, and Magadi Main Road, where potholes are a nightmare for motorists.
Overflowing drains
In some places, rains coupled with overflowing drains have added to the problem. Naresh Sadasivan, a resident of Bellandur, said: “The sewage water is overflowing onto the road. Owing to this, potholes have resurfaced. The road sees heavy traffic. We have alerted the BBMP officials several times, but there has been no response.”
In other parts of the city, interior roads have failed to get any attention from the BBMP. N. Mukund, RWA member, Jayanagar 5th Block, said while the main roads were in good condition in Jayanagar, some of the interior roads needed repair.
Sunish Jauhari of Concern for Road and Pedestrian Safety, pointed out that roads where metro construction was taking place had been neglected by the civic body. “The way the potholes are being filled, they are bound to resurface every couple of months,” he said.
Review meeting
Meanwhile, the BBMP will hold a review meeting on the pothole-filling drive on Monday.
Commissioner N. Manjunath Prasad said they would be able to determine the number of potholes remaining to be filled in the city after this meeting.
Councillors to be roped in to monitor work
Amidst complaints of unscientific work in its rush to fill potholes, Mayor Gangambike Mallikarjun has decided to rope in councillors of each ward to monitor work in their respective areas and keep a check on the quality of work.
The Mayor told The Hindu that she would soon send out a circular to all the officials concerned and to councillors asking them to actively participate in monitoring the work. “Officials will also be asked to keep the local councillors in the loop,” she said.
The Mayor added that wherever unscientific filling of potholes are noticed, officials will be directed to rework on it. “I have also noticed poorly filled potholes in some parts of Jayanagar. After this was pointed out to the officials concerned, it had been reworked. Once all the councillors are actively involved, they will be able to keep a tab on the quality of work in every locality,” she said.
Zero-pothole zones
Further, official data on zero-pothole zones would be closely examined, she said. Official data suggests that some zones covering large areas of the city are completely rid of potholes. These will be closely examined and councillors’ help will be taken for this as well, she added.
Residents could reach out to her or to the BBMP control room to complain on any poorly filled potholes that they come across, the Mayor said.
