Bengaluru, 11 May

With City receiving heavy rains over the last couple of days, dug-up roads are giving a torrid time to Bengalureans.

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), which initially set a deadline of May 10 for the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) to complete road cutting or maintenance works, has now extended the deadline to May 20 due to pending works.

Motorists are encountering safety risks while navigating through unpaved roads during downpours. "The dug-up roads in Thalaghattapura are a nightmare. Just when we hoped the rain would bring relief from the heat, it created a muddy mess. There's always a risk of falling or vehicles slipping," said M Rajesh, a resident of Thalaghattapura.

Priya P, a resident of Gottigere, said: “The roads are always chaotic during monsoon season, but this year it's even worse because of the road works. The overflowing rainwater mixes with the mud from the dug-up roads, making it filthy and hazardous.”

S Ranganath Poojary a resident of Ganganagar, said: “Residents in RT Nagar areas such as MLA Layout, Gangenhalli (Ganganagar), Dinnur, Sultanpalya and Kanakanagar are the worst affected as desilting and other civic works are incomplete and roads are battered. The contractor has not been paid his dues and is delaying the work. We urge BBMP to speed up the work as school and colleges are about to resume and the children will find it hard to commute.’’

Rain delayed work: BBMP Chief

BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath told Salar News that the rain makes it harder to work because the ground is wet, and the drains are blocked. “Our biggest concern is that clogged drains can be dangerous for vehicles and pedestrians. Unforeseen underground utility conflicts and relocation issues have hampered progress on some projects,” Nath said.

The BBMP Chief Commissioner said they have requested BWSSB and BESCOM to finish road works by 20 May to maintain a clean drainage system throughout the rainy season. “We have completed 80 percent of the road works and are looking forward to completing the rest by 20 May,” he said. The roads that are undergoing works are RT Nagar main road, Yelenahalli main road, Shivananda flyover, Richmond Circle, Thalaghattapura main road and Gottigere service road, among others.

BBMP has also urged citizens to cooperate by clearing any construction debris or waste materials from roadsides. “Such blockages can hinder the free flow of rainwater and cause inconvenience,” Nath said.

The civic body has intensified its cleaning efforts. "Every third week of the month will be dedicated to intensive cleaning, and all officials have been instructed to participate," Nath said. -Salar News