Pipe dream leaves road in shambles

Debris left behind by pipelaying work has made riding a pain for bikers on Nandidurga Road in Jayamahal ward. For many of them coming from Coles Park and the surrounding areas, there is no alternative road to reach Benson Town, Chinnappa Garden and Munireddy Palya.

Recently, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) dug up more than half kilometre on Nandidurga Road for laying pipes to facilitate regular water supply to Ramaswamy Palya and the surrounding areas. However, after laying the pipes, the contractor failed to clear the debris and asphalt the road on the dug-up portion.

“It is almost two weeks since the BWSSB completed the pipe work. Many autorickshaw drivers refuse to ply to Chinnappa Garden since the road is in such a bad condition,’’ said Shafiq Ahmed, a resident of Chinnappa Garden.

Most residents on either side of Nandidurga Road are keeping their windows closed to prevent dust entering their homes. A few of them are suffering from dust allergy.

“We are facing problems because of BWSSB’s failure to asphalt the road. The dust has become a nuisance. We expect the BWSSB or Bruhat Bengaluru Manhanagara Palike (BBMP) to commence the asphalting work as early as possible,’’ said N Manish, one of the residents of Wood Svale Apartments on Nandidurga Road.

The mounds of soil left on the road make one feel that the contractor has not done his job properly and the authorities have failed to supervise the work. They act as hurdles for the smooth movement of vehicles on this narrow road. Even pedestrians find it difficult to walk on the stretch as they are found on the sidewalks too.

“The dust being kicked up and the slow movement of vehicles make us hesitate to use the road. But we have no option. Driving on this road is hell during peak hours,’’ said Munirathna, an autorickshaw driver.

M K Gunashekhar, corporator of Jayamahal ward and leader of Opposition in the BBMP Council, said the road was dug up to lay pipes to address the water problem of Ramaswamy Palya residents. “I think BWSSB engineers are waiting for the right time to asphalt the dug up portion of Nandidurga Road. The BBMP has already sanctioned funds for this. I have advised the engineers to take up the work as early as possible,’’ Gunashekhar said.
On the mounds of soil blocking the sidewalks and the road, Gunashekhar said the contractor would be told to clear them in a few days.