Bengaluru: Craters crush HSR Layout residents

Bengaluru: Recent rains have left big craters on the stretch connecting HSR Layout and Koramanagala, leading to traffic gridlocks. The residents complain that even walking on this road is impossible as mounds of debris too are dumped on the side of the road. Why are civic authorities not addressing problems that are so obvious, they ask.

It seems catastrophic events are just not enough to wake up the civic authorities from their deep slumber. Despite the heavy downpour of August 14 that inundated several parts of the city, including HSR Layout, hardly any effort has been made either to relay a bad stretch of the road or to fill up the potholes near Sector 5, making it a nightmare for commuters to traverse the stretch. 

The potholes are deep and many, and result in traffic congestion right at the traffic signal.

Upset over the breakdown of his vehicle, Mr H. Kidyeb Chakma, a resident of HSR Layout Sector 5, said, “Because of these big potholes, the mudguard of my bike broke. I really doubt if civic officials are serious about addressing such issues.”

Asked if he complained to the corporator, he said, “Am I talking about the killer potholes at my home or on the road? They are visible to everyone, except our corporator.”

Not only have potholes left residents harassed, but construction debris on the road has only added to their woes. The road opposite HDFC Bank is filled with debris, which runs onto the road during rain, making the stretch slippery.

“The debris obstructs the movement of pedestrians, and also the dust from it affects asthma patients. My father is one of the victims. Is it not the responsibility of civic authorities to penalise those who have not cleared the debris,” asked Mr Abhishek.

Lambasting government authorities for lack of coordination among different agencies, he said, “Because of this lack of coordination, residents are left to suffer. If the BWSSB digs a trench to lay the pipeline, what stops the BBMP from filling the pit and removing the debris? The corporator should address these issues.”

Distressed over the worsening condition of roads and voicing the pain of his neighbours , Mr Madhur Ahuja, a resident of HSR Layout Sector 6, said, “The entire stretch of road connecting HSR Layout with Koramangala is in a pathetic condition. Leave aside travelling in the car, one cannot even walk on the roads filled with stones. During rains, the road gets flooded and one cannot make out the potholes while driving, and it leads to accidents.”

No doubt, continuous rains flood roads and to some extent damage the up stretches. But waterlogged roads and damaged roads raise questions on not only the drainage system but also the quality of construction.

‘Potholes near Agara lake junction will be fixed soon’
Q&A with the HSR Layout Corporator Gurumurthy Reddy

When will the roads near Agara Lake traffic junction get repaired?
We will try to fill the potholes near the junction by next week. The roads at Sector 6 and Sector 7 of the HSR layout have already been repaired.

When will the civic authorities remove debris covering footpaths of Outer Ring Road?
Most of it is construction debris, dumped from nearby apartments and residential sites and not much due to digging up of roads by the civic authorities. We will take action against anyone found violating the rules. The contractors have been told to remove the debris.

Your engineer says the funds to carry out repair works are not adequate. Is it so?
No, there is no shortage of funds. Had it been so I would have never said that the roads near Agara traffic junction will be repaired. We will certainly do the needful.