Bengaluru: One would expect the roads in the Central Business District (around Vidhan Soudha) to be in good shape many important institutions are located in the area and it is frequented by VIPs. Those in the seat of power, wax eloquent about steel flyover from Chalukya Circle to Hebbal, but if they care to check out the Palace road leading to Chalukya circle, they would realise it is not a pleasant sight.
"Three months ago, the BWSSB dug up Palace Road to replace water pipes. They left it as it is, without re-tarring. There are potholes, quarry dust, heaps of small stones spread on the sides of the road," said Arun, a resident of Vasanthnagar near Palace Road.
While the danger of potholes is not unknown, a new kind of threat plagues civilians of this area. Small stones and heaps of quarry construction dust lie scattered around. Huge vehicles riding over the small rocks, bounce off, injuring people walking by on the road.
Thousands of Mount Carmel College girls who walk on that road, run the risk of getting hit by stones getting bounced off, all because of government apathy.
"When it rains, the dust, stones and water become a gigantic mess. It is difficult for us to even cross the road to get to college," said Pragya, an MCC student
A senior citizen, who has been living here for several decades, said on condition of anonymity, "There is so much dust in the air, blanketing the sky. This has worsened my lung problems and I have difficulty breathing."
Arun claims that after the 5-star Shangri La Hotel exerted pressure on the authorities, the stretch of road in front of the hotel was redone. What about those road portions, in front of homes and colleges?
Palace Road is 2.2 km from Vidhan Soudha and Ministers, politicians pass through this road. Prominent institutions like Balbrooie guest house, National Gallery of Modern Art, The French Embassy, Mount Carmel College, Hotel Shangri La stand on this road.
Priya, a visitor at the National Gallery of Modern Art said, "The dust is getting worse. People who come here are affected by the cloud of dust, especially the guards at the gate of NGMA. They sometimes need to wear masks to avoid breathing in the polluted air!"
Sampath Kumar, Corporator of Vasanthnagar
The Palace Road was dug up two months ago to lay pipes. Why has it not been restored?
There were four water lines that were leaking. The old cement pipes have been replaced with cast iron ones. The BWSSB is responsible for redoing the road, issuing a tender and getting a contractor which they are yet to do. Only for the part in front of Shanagri La Hotel, they finished the process because of pressure from the hotel management
Why has the BBMP not followed up with them?
I keep asking them on a regular basis to finish the work. They promise that it will be done in a certain amount of time, but have not met their deadlines. It has been too long. The Resident Welfare Asssociation, Mount Carmel College and I even protested 15 days ago. They should have done it by now.
What is causing the delay?
The BWSSB will restore the road only after they are done with laying all the pipes, which is yet to be finished. Four days agot there was again a leakage, for which they dug it up for the second time. Due to pipe work, the Becom’s power line got disturbed as well and there was no electricity for three days.
What can be done now and how long will it take?
I keep reminding BWSSB officials. I will call for a meeting with them again this week. I cannot say how long it will take because they keep missing their deadlines. I can only put pressure on them to get it done.
