Bangalore mayor fumes as Metro ‘derails’ pothole-fixing

Once again, mayor R Sharadamma has come down heavily on BMRC officials over their negligent attitude towards repairing damaged roads near the Metro construction sites.

The mayor, along with her deputy S Harish and other officials, inspected the damaged roads on Vijayanagar Main Road, Magadi Road, West of Chord Road and other places on Tuesday. After inspection, she expressed dissatisfaction as the Metro officials, who had agreed to repair the damaged roads within 15 days, had not undertaken any work yet. She has issued instructions to Metro officials to complete the repair works by September 25.

Later, Sharadamma inspected the widening of Mysore Road, desilting of Vrushabhavathi Canal near Gali Anjeneya temple and asphalting work at the Metro stretches. “Even after being given a 15-day deadline, the Metro officials and the BWSSB have not bothered to start pothole-filling and repair works on the underground sanitary and water pipes which were damaged,” she said and took the negligence officials to task.

The BBMP had directed to shift the cables and pipes which run under the Mysore Road from Sirsi flyover for road-widening but the shifting has only been completed till Gopalan Mall. After the monsoon ends, the road-widening work will begin, chief engineer (major works) informed the mayor.

Speaking on the desilting work at Vrushabhavathi Canal, Sharadamma said that due to the desilting work carried out in the past 15 days, there was no flooding even though the rains have been heavy.

Annoyed with the slow progress, she asked the officials how many years will they need to repair the damaged sewage pipes in front of the Iskcon temple. To this, BWSSB chief engineer said that the tender had been finalised for the laying new pipes and within 15 days the work will be completed.