Latest news with #BruhatBengaluruMahanagaraPalike
India Today
a day ago
- Automotive
- India Today
Three week in, no end to key Bengaluru road white-topping, traffic woes continue
White-topping of an arterial road in Bengaluru, Residency Road, is being carried out by the city's civic body, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). The white-topping, which began earlier this month as part of BBMP's long-term road improvement plan, was supposed to take about 20 days, according to the days later, the work is still underway, continuing to create trouble for commuters, business owners and the public in Road was earlier redeveloped in 2012 by Jana Urban Space under the Tender SURE (Specifications for Urban Road Execution) project, which introduced uniform travel lanes, wide footpaths, organised parking and a cycle track. Under Tender SURE, roads are designed not just for vehicles but to be safe, accessible and aesthetically pleasing for all users, with a long-term vision for urban infrastructure. The project also aims to resolve the issues of repeated digging for utility repairs (water, sewage, power, telecom, gas, storm water drains) by integrating all networked services in dedicated utility ducts beneath the footpaths, making them accessible for repairs without constantly tearing up the road surface. This leads to lower life-cycle costs in the long run. Residency Road witnesses bumper-to-bumper traffic during peak hours. advertisementCURRENT WHITE-TOPPING PROJECTHowever, the BBMP believes Residency Road needs more durability and is thus undertaking white-topping of portions of it. White-topping refers to the process of overlaying an old asphalt — black-topped — road with Portland Cement Concrete (PCC). This type of road surfacing is known for its durability, longer lifespan and better resistance to water damage, supposedly ideal for Bengaluru's unpredictable weather and growing traffic load. Residency Road is a key route connecting all parts of Bengaluru. To white-top Residency Road, the old asphalt has been dug up and needs to be resurfaced with concrete, along with upgrades for drainage and underground utilities. According to authorities, this would solve long-standing issues like potholes, waterlogging and uneven surfaces. White-topping in progress on a portion of Residency Road. BBMP officials said that the disruption is temporary and the work will deliver a long-term solution to a deteriorating road. The agency said the construction team was working in phases to minimise disruption and complete the stretch within 20 days. However, they admitted that unforeseen underground issues could cause further professor at St Joseph's Law College, who didn't want to be named, questioned the rationale and was strongly opposed to the decision to white-top Residency Road. "It will cause severe traffic congestion, especially with Kamaraj Road already closed. This disruption will negatively affect students and educators by delaying commutes, disrupting classes and worsening the learning gaps left by the pandemic. Spending Rs 44 crore on a road that is already in decent condition is unnecessary. BBMP should prioritise urgent needs and involve the public before making such impactful decisions. Learning and smooth mobility must come first," he IMPACT AND TIMELINE ISSUESResidency Road is a key commercial and transport corridor in Bengaluru's Central Business District (CBD). It is bordered by landmarks such as MG Road Metro Station and Cubbon Park, and connects major junctions that are key to connectivity to all parts of the city. The arterial road also plays a crucial role in the city's economy and traffic weeks in, the ongoing construction has led to traffic disruptions, safety concerns and complaints from local businesses and residents about the timing. 'Why now, when the rains have already started? Why not two months ago when the heat was there?" questioned Kevin Beck, a local to BBMP officials, the work is being done now to finish before schools reopen in June and to avoid further road damage during the upcoming monsoon season. "This is necessary work. It may cause inconvenience now, but it will benefit the public in the long run," said Santosh, Assistant Executive Engineer with BBMP.'You can't always know what lies beneath. If we hit a utility line or drain, we have to stop and fix it,' said Assistant Executive Engineer Santosh. 'But we are committed to finishing before the rains intensify.''To ease traffic disruption, we have implemented a vehicle diversion plan. Notices were published in newspapers, updates shared in local WhatsApp groups and announcements posted on Instagram. Regular commuters were informed from day one to use alternative routes. Clear signboards, banners and route instructions have been placed to guide the public,' said Traffic Sub-Inspector Harish Kumar when asked about traffic disruption.A student from St Joseph's College of Law, located on Residency Road, shared her ordeal since the white-topping began. 'We are struggling to report to college by 8:00 am because of the heavy traffic congestion caused by the road blockage near Mayo Hall. The increased traffic has also raised the noise from outside, creating constant disturbance and affecting our ability to focus in class. The ongoing construction has worsened air quality as well. To add to this, flooding has made commuting to and from college even more difficult and dangerous," she explained. Raw material piled up has created challenges for business owners. advertisementMID-PROJECT CHANGES AND COMPLICATIONSWaterlogging concerns raised by residents and the local MLA have prompted changes to the plan midway through the project. According to Santosh, other BBMP engineers had to pivot from white-topping to addressing the stormwater drain network first. Residents and shop owners argue that this decision to white-top a "perfectly functional road" has led to unnecessary Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board removing and replacing small water pipes with larger ones at the same time has led to further digging and local businesses, such as restaurants, cafs and retail outlets, the construction has translated into falling customer traffic, blocked entrances and logistical headaches. Traffic has been rerouted, inconveniencing commuters, especially during rain. Residents have also raised concerns about public safety, pointing to exposed cables, uneven surfaces and open pits. "They have put the safety sign there, right next to the electrical box," said Kevin, pointing out the error of the decision. Open wires raise concerns about public safety. The BBMP also clarified that it wasn't working on the Mayo Hall Y-junction, which connects the eastern and western parts of the city and witnesses high traffic at almost all times. This complexity has led to the decision to take up white-topping of that portion in a later phase. White-topping work is slow moving. BBMP official say there could be unforeseen circumstances that could delay it further. Interdepartmental coordination also appears to be lacking. With the BBMP, BWSSB and traffic police each playing different roles in the project, accountability has been difficult to trace.
News18
a day ago
- General
- News18
Monsoon Is Here: Bengaluru Civic Body Allocates Rs 65 Lakh For Flood Relief Equipment
Last Updated: While the BBMP will continue to collaborate with other departments, officials believe the new equipment will prove valuable during emergencies. As the rainy season approaches, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has initiated last-minute preparations for heavy rainfall, acknowledging the limitations of its infrastructure in managing such events. The civic body plans to procure flood-relief equipment, including inflatable boats, life jackets, centrifugal pumps, and other emergency gear, anticipating potential flooding. This follows severe flooding in areas such as Sai Layout, ST Bed, and HBR Layout, and indicates the BBMP's recognition that this year's monsoon could pose similar, if not greater, challenges. The BBMP has allocated approximately Rs 65 lakh from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund to acquire nine types of flood-response equipment. This includes four inflatable boats equipped with outboard motors (each with a capacity of 12 passengers), 48 life jackets, 16 centrifugal pumps for draining stagnant water, chainsaws for clearing fallen trees, bolt cutters, ropes, and handheld torches. For the first time, the BBMP is independently procuring flood-management equipment, marking a departure from its previous reliance on State and National Disaster Response Forces (SDRF/NDRF) and Fire Department personnel for rescue and relief operations during floods. While the BBMP will continue to collaborate with other departments, officials believe the new equipment will prove valuable during emergencies. A senior BBMP official explained that previously, they had to improvise, using earthmovers to deliver food and tractors to evacuate residents in areas like Sai Layout. However, this move has attracted criticism, with some describing it as a reactive measure that fails to address the underlying causes of flooding. RTI activist BH Veeresh criticised the BBMP, stating that the civic body had ample opportunity to address fundamental issues such as desilting stormwater drains, removing encroachments, and promoting rainwater harvesting, rather than simply preparing for the consequences. 'Instead of tackling these fundamental problems, the BBMP is preparing only for damage control," he said. Veeresh also highlighted alleged irregularities in the Storm Water Drain (SWD) division, which he claims remain uninvestigated. First Published: May 30, 2025, 14:50 IST
India Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
DK Shivakumar orders demolition of structures causing floods in Bengaluru
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar directed the demolition of buildings obstructing rainwater flow in Bengaluru, invoking provisions of the Disaster Management move comes after recent rains triggered flooding in areas like Manyata Tech Park, which Shivakumar visited on at the site, the minister, who also holds the Bengaluru Development portfolio, said the flooding issue has worsened due to structures built along stormwater drains. 'This is a very important junction. The problem started here and has since spread to other areas,' he said, adding that some individuals had obtained court stay orders while certain civic officials were not Shivakumar clarified that the government's intent is not to act unjustly or damage property, but to find a long-term fix. 'The point here is that water should flow smoothly,' he said, urging landowners to cooperate. 'If a mistake has occurred due to technical reasons, we will provide compensation.'The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) chief commissioner M Maheshwar Rao has been given full authority to act against encroachments, he a post on X, Shivakumar wrote, 'Our goal is clear – to ensure sustainable development without disrupting natural water flow.' He said three landowners near Manyata Tech Park had agreed to cooperate after discussions. 'This spirit of collaboration is what drives real change,' he Watch IN THIS STORY#Karnataka#Bengaluru
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
DK Shivakumar orders demolition of buildings causing flooding in Bengaluru
Karnataka deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar said on Thursday that he has ordered Bengaluru civic authorities to demolish buildings obstructing the natural flow of rainwater and contributing to flooding. Shivakumar, who holds the Bengaluru development portfolio, said, 'The chief minister and I have already visited the rain-affected areas. This is a very important junction. The problem started here and has since spread to other areas.' Also Read: Siddaramaiah orders ministers, officials to visit rain-hit areas to take stock of situation He added that individuals obstructing the natural flow of water have obtained stay orders from the court, and even civic officials were not cooperating to reduce flooding in these areas. Also Read: Karnataka rains: Toddler dies as wall collapses during heavy rain in Belagavi "Therefore, I have instructed officials to remove the buildings causing the problem under the Disaster Management Act," he said. Shivakumar clarified that the government does not intend to damage anyone's property or act unjustly, but it was important to find a permanent solution to ensure the rainwater would flow smoothly and not cause inconvenience. Also Read: Bengaluru records wettest May since 1957 'We are not keen to take away anyone's property and give them trouble. I am visiting the problem spots myself to verify. Everyone has agreed to allow the works to continue. But it is important to find a permanent solution. We don't want to demolish any random building, but it is important to ensure that rainwater flows smoothly without causing a flood. We can't allow Bengaluru's reputation to go down the drain,' he said, as quoted by ANI. The Karnataka deputy CM also urged landowners to cooperate, saying, 'If a mistake has occurred due to technical reasons, we will provide compensation. We need a permanent solution to this issue. Everyone has agreed, and we will continue our work.' The deputy CM had inspected various areas in Bengaluru, prone to flooding during the rains, including the Manyata Tech Park, where stormwater drains had contributed to water being inundated. He also stated that the chief commissioner of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, M Maheshwar Rao, had been given full authority to remove encroachments. With inputs from PTI
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Shivakumar orders removal of buildings causing flooding in Bengaluru
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said on Thursday that he has directed Bengaluru civic authorities to demolish buildings obstructing the natural flow of rainwater and contributing to flooding, invoking the Disaster Management Act . Shivakumar, who holds the Bengaluru development portfolio , visited areas in the city that were flooded during the recent rains. He inspected the stormwater drains that contributed to flooding near Manyata Tech Park. "The chief minister and I have already visited the rain-affected areas. This is a very important junction. The problem started here and has since spread to other areas," Shivakumar said. He added that some individuals obstructing the natural flow of water have obtained stay orders from the court, and even some civic officials were not cooperating. Live Events "Therefore, I have instructed officials to remove the buildings causing the problem under the Disaster Management Act," he said. Shivakumar clarified that the government does not intend to damage anyone's property or act unjustly. "The point here is that water should flow smoothly. That's why I visited and inspected the area myself. It is important to find a permanent solution," he said. Stressing that the image of Bengaluru should not suffer due to flooding, Shivakumar appealed to landowners to cooperate. "If a mistake has occurred due to technical reasons, we will provide compensation. We need a permanent solution to this issue. Everyone has agreed, and we will continue our work," he said. He also stated that the chief commissioner of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike , M Maheshwar Rao, has been given full authority to remove encroachments. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
