BENGALURU, 14 JUNE

Residents of Lake View Road, Doddanekkundi in Ward Number 85, Whitefield, are facing a distressing commute due to the stretch's rapid deterioration in the monsoon season and the lack of proper footpaths. Retarred in March, the road has become a muddy mess, posing a significant risk to motorists and pedestrians alike.

Speaking to  Salar News, Sangeetha Menon S, a resident from an apartment in the area, said, “Whenever it rains here, the roads become so muddy and slippery that even the pedestrians find it hard to walk. The roads become waterlogged, creating traffic jams. I have seen many vehicles slip due to the mud on the roads.”

The uncovered drains along the road also pose a safety hazard, contributing to the damage caused by monsoon rains. Apart from the chances of accidents, residents are worried about the stagnant water in the drains, which may cause water and airborne diseases.

The major issue lies in the poor quality of the construction and lack of foresight in the project's planning. Lalithamba BV, Governing Council Member & Zonal Leader of the Bengaluru Nava Nirmana Party for Bommanahalli, told Salar News, “This road is dangerous for pedestrians because there are no sidewalks. The retarring was carried out in a hurry just before the election. Our representatives are prioritising short-term gains over pedestrian safety.”

Residents said Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has been ignoring the complaints filed by them. The civic body cited jurisdiction issues and that the road falls under the category of major roads, limiting their capacity to address the problem.

Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said “It is not only the rains and the road, but even the open Rajakaluves are a problem. People throw all sorts of garbage in it and this in turn clogs the drainage system connected to it.”

Speaking to Salar News, a senior official from BBMP’s Road Infrastructure Department said: “We have received complaints about the condition of the road. But we are not taking any action because of the weather. Even if we relay the roads, the asphalt (tar) needs at least 48 hours of sunlight to set in. If we do the tarring now, the water from the rains will break down the asphalt, causing cracks and potholes on the road.”

Lakshmikanth Reddy, a resident who has lived in the locality for almost six years, said the roads were already damaged before the retarring work was carried out three months ago. “Now the half-baked work of the authorities has damaged the road even more than before,” he said.

A BBMP official attributed the initial damage to overexposure to extreme heat that can cause the roads to expand and contract and eventually break down. “Since it is a major road in that location, the stress from heavy-duty vehicles such as lorries and tankers can damage the road,” he said. -Salar News