Ittamadu Main road has little asphalt left!

Ittamadu Main Road, which provides a vital link between Kathriguppe and Uttarahalli is in a pathetic condition. The road has been riddled with potholes and the recent rains has taken off its asphalted cover. In addition the BWSSB’s move to replace old water pipes have added to residents’ woes. Nearly half the road has been dug up to lay the new pipes. The storm water drains in the area remain clogged due to illegal dumping of waste

BENGALURU: Ittamadu Main Road is a vital link between Kathriguppe and Uttarahalli and on any given day it witnesses heavy traffic volume, as it is a short cut and helps cut travel time.

However, for the past few months this three-kilometre long road is in a dilapidated condition, dotted with countless potholes.

“The road has not been asphalted for long. We stay in Uttarahalli, near Pattalamma temple. To reach areas such as Katriguppe and Padmanabhanagar this is the shortest route and does not have any traffic signals. But for the past few months the road is full of potholes,” said Prabhu M., a regular commuter.

He said the recent rains have worsened the condition of this road and now hardly any asphalt is left.

“The quality of road work is very poor. Almost the entire road got washed away during the recent rains. We can see only gravel and mud as the tar got completely washed away,” he said.

Apart from poor roads, another issue that is bothering the residents is the ongoing BWSSB works.

“For the past few weeks, BWSSB has taken up replacing the old water pipelines in the area. Nearly half of the road is dug up and people are forced to make do with the remaining half for commuting,” said Anitha, a resident of AGS Layout.

She says that the condition worsens when it rains the road turns slushy.

Elaborating on the road damage caused by the BWSSB work, she said that works like pipe laying should be completed at the earliest and it is the duty of the civic bodies to restore them immediately after the completion of works.

“But here BBMP is waiting for the BWSSB to finish the work and the BWSSB taking long time. BBMP is not even filling potholes as they are waiting for the works to be completed. Residents are stuck between these two agencies,” she lamented.

This snail’s pace of work causes numerous traffic jams on the road. You can see vehicles lined up one behind the other during peak hours, Anitha said.

Residents of the area also felt the stormwater drains in the ward should be fenced people illegally dump garbage in these drains.

“Garbage, slaughter house waste, construction debris and all other kinds of wastes are dumped into the stormwater drains. Officials should nab the culprits and levy hefty fines and also put up mesh to prevent dumping,” said Shruthi, a resident of Arehalli.

Uttarahalli ward corporator Mr Hanumanthaiah and BBMP Mayor Ms Gangambike was not available for comments.