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Deccan Herald
24-05-2025
- Deccan Herald
Before plane takes off, potholes take over in Bengaluru
Earlier this month, a resident of Hanumanthappa Layout left for the airport at 2.30 am for an early morning flight. However, despite leaving three hours ahead of time, he missed his flight — thanks to the road he took. The Hennur-Bagalur main road landed him in two potholes, leaving him with a bent tyre rim..'It was a blind spot, right at a turn where there were no streetlights. The pothole was like a crater and the right tyre fell right into the middle of the pothole. The rim of the tyre got bent, leading to a flat tyre,' Debashish Panda told DH..'What's surprising is that the potholes weren't at that spot when I had taken the same road to the airport two weeks prior.' he Hennur-Bagalur Road, touted as an alternate road to Kempegowda International Airport, has remained a commuter's nightmare for almost a decade now. From periodic flooding to pothole menace, the road is the least efficient route to commute to the airport, say residents from around the locality. 'Apart from saving on paying the toll charges, there is no other benefit the road provides. A faint spell of rain, and there is about 2 feet of water accumulated at multiple spots on the route. Because of this, the potholes become invisible and driving here becomes more dangerous. I'd much rather take the Hebbal route. It might take 15 minutes longer, but it's much safer,' says Subramanian K, a Hennur resident. .Cab drivers also agree, with many refusing to take the route to get to the airport..'Early on, we would prefer the route as it would allow us to save some money. Plus, with the better roads, it was much quicker. But now the roads are so bad that it ends up damaging the car. With most of us buying our cars on EMI, we can't afford to keep paying for such damages,' said Tausif Pasha, a 36-year-old cab driver. .However, exploring options beyond Hebbal is a necessity, he said..'Last week, after it rained, it took almost three hours to get to RR Nagar from the airport. Getting to the airport hasn't been smooth ride either. Because of a large number of people constantly travelling to the airport, the toll queues are getting longer by the day. Some evenings, the toll queue is over 15 minutes long,' he added..'Not a single stretch free of potholes': Tejasvi Surya after TCS World 10K run in drivers specifically complain about longer queues at the toll booths between 4 pm and 8 pm. .What's the solution?.Alternate routes to the airport are the need of the hour, according to Srinivas Alavilli, Fellow, WRI a short-term solution, he suggests a shuttle service between Hebbal and the airport..'Currently, most of the airport trips are through Hebbal, and that's causing a chokehold in that area. While we develop alternate routes, we can look at the possibility of organising frequent BMTC AC shuttles from Hebbal. Shared transport can help reduce the traffic blocks and improve safety on the flyover,' he said. .Architect and urban designer Naresh Narasimhan opined that the government must promote existing alternate routes, such as the Satellite Town Ring Road, whilst improving the Nagawara access road. If the aim is to improve the traffic congestion on the Hebbal flyover, he suggests an additional bridge..'A 1.2 km long suspension bridge from the Esteem Mall up to Bangalore Baptist Hospital can help ease the congestion. Other than this, the possibility of expanding the Hebbal flyover is limited due to the lakes on either side,' he according to Ashish Verma, professor, IISc, Sustainable Transportation Lab, any intervention done to the flyover to improve congestion will only have a short-term effect..'Making more roads is not the solution. It won't help manage the traffic if the number of vehicles on the road keeps increasing. Instead, the authorities must focus on getting the Metro and Suburban Railway up and running,' he - BMTC takes the back gate Of the 17 existing Vayu Vajra routes only two are directed to the back entrance of Kempegowda International Airport — KIA-8E (from Electronic City) and KIA 15 (from Whitefield). The rest pass through Hebbal and get to the airport through the main entrance. The BMTC soon plans to divert more buses to the back entrance.'The plan is to divert some of the buses coming from Electronic City to the Hennur-Bagalur road towards the back gate of KIA to avoid crowding on the Hebbal flyover. With growing residential development on the Hennur-Bagalur stretch there is demand for more services and also the route will be much quicker' said G T Prabhakar Reddy Chief Traffic Manager. .Temporary solutionWhile Hebbal flyover's new ramp which provides extra carriageway for vehicles coming from KR Puram towards Mekhri Circle can ease the traffic congestion in the area it is not a permanent solution for the traffic bottleneck according to Siri Gowri Deputy Commissioner of Police Traffic (north). 'People prefer Hebbal because they're comfortable with the route. It's up to the government to make the alternate routes that already exist just as comfortable and accessible' she proposes elevated road Former minister and KR Puram MLA Byrati Basavaraj stresses the need for road improvement in his jurisdiction. 'The Hennur-Bagalur Road is an important route but much of the white-topping and other road work is yet to be executed. I've spoken to the authorities concerned about this' he tells DH. A 12-15 km elevated road starting from the Hennur bridge can help divert traffic from the Hebbal flyover and also improve the condition of the alternate route he proposes. Speaking on the lack of street lights on the Hennur-Bagalur stretch he said 'Up until my jurisdiction the roads are well-lit. No has taken responsibility for the rest of the route.'
News18
15-05-2025
- Climate
- News18
Bumpy Ride In Bengaluru This Monsoon: Rain Washes Away BBMP's Pothole Quick Fixes
Last Updated: With the monsoon expected to hit Karnataka early this year, in the first week of June, the civic body is now scrambling to fill potholes and rush through pending road work. The BBMP's recent pothole-filling drive has come undone – heavy rains over the last few days have washed away the quick-fix patches, leaving Bengaluru's roads back to their broken, battered state. 'Last week, we filled around 1,395 potholes. We'll now conduct an evaluation. A few more have cropped up — information keeps coming in and we will address each location as it's reported," Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Chief Commissioner M Maheshwar Rao told News18. With the monsoon expected to hit Karnataka early this year, in the first week of June, the civic body is now scrambling to fill potholes and rush through pending road work before the rains arrive. Rao added that all teams are on standby to ensure normal life isn't disrupted. 'Yes, more potholes may have surfaced. Our engineers will attend to them as and when we get location data. The goal is to reduce turnaround time for such issues, and also revamp the city into the global brand it is known to be," he said. Bengaluru is bracing for a projected week of rain, and with it comes the city's familiar cocktail of flooded roads, snarled traffic, and the infamous pothole menace. The BBMP, however, insists it is geared up to avoid a repeat of previous years' chaos. 'Our assumption is that Bengaluru can handle up to 60-70 mm of rainfall without major waterlogging," Rao said. 'The drainage systems are in place. We've installed surveillance cameras across key locations to monitor water levels in real time. Our control rooms are on high alert. If canals begin to overflow or any area shows signs of distress, we'll move in immediately," Rao said. But the real test is whether this preparedness will hold. In September last year, after Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar ordered a large-scale pothole repair drive, the BBMP claimed to have filled thousands of potholes across the city. Yet, those short-term fixes have now collapsed, and the city's motorists are once again paying the price for substandard work. Adding to the pressure, last month BJP MP Tejasvi Surya lashed out at the BBMP after participating in the TCS World 10K run in Bengaluru. In an open letter to Minister Shivakumar and then BBMP Commissioner Tushar Girinath, Surya called the city's infrastructure 'pathetic" and said the pride of the international event was quickly overshadowed by broken paths and dangerous potholes. 'Not a single stretch was pothole-free. Runners, including senior citizens and wheelchair participants, stumbled and were injured," Surya wrote. He termed it a 'missed opportunity" to showcase Brand Bengaluru on the world stage and questioned the civic body's preparedness despite hosting a world level athletic event. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Holes in civic body's claims, as TCS World 10K route in Bengaluru still plagued by potholes
Bengaluru: Twenty-four hours after Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya raised the issue of potholes dotting Sunday's TCS World 10K run, BBMP on Monday responded with alacrity, claiming the route was "pothole free" and an Indian participant setting a new record was proof that all was fine. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now However, a reality check by TOI Tuesday found glaring discrepancies in the civic body's claims, and the reality on the ground was far from the spotless picture painted by the Palike. The route planned for the run, starting from RSAOI Grounds on Cubbon Road and covering key city arteries including Ulsoor Road, Bhaskaran Road, Gangadhar Chetty Road, Annaswamy Mudaliar Circle, Dickenson Road, Kamaraj Road, Raj Bhavan Road and Dr Ambedkar Road, was riddled with uneven surfaces, open garbage dumps and freshly patched potholes. Around 2.33pm, a TOI team observed fresh asphalt being laid on parts of Cubbon Road. A contractor overseeing the asphalting work said it was undertaken on urgent orders from the civic agency. He admitted the fixes were superficial and not a long-term solution. On Ulsoor Road and Dickenson Road, the asphalt layer ended abruptly before merging into the pedestrian walkway at several places, creating an uneven and hazardous edge. Loose gravel and dust were prominent between Ulsoor Road and Dickenson Road. On Dickenson Road, a major safety concern was the alignment of stormwater drains. Though the drains were covered with metal grills, many were poorly fitted and misaligned. The uneven covers acted like speed bumps. The situation worsened on Kamaraj Road. The surface was highly uneven, and about 30 metres before it connected back to Cubbon Road, there was a sudden 11cm dip — a hazard that was nearly invisible. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Riders often skid there. The dip is sudden and very dangerous," said Manoj Patil, a motorist who frequently uses the stretch. Back on Cubbon Road, the surface remained inconsistent. Some parts had newly laid asphalt, while others featured rough patches or sudden depressions, creating a bumpy experience for runners and commuters alike. The only consistently motorable and runner-friendly stretch appeared to be Raj Bhavan Road. Even Dr Ambedkar Road had visible patchwork — bitumen overlays hiding potholes and surface degradation underneath.
Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Tejasvi Surya's ‘slow claps' for BBMP after its claim of pothole-free roads during TCS World 10K run
Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya Tuesday doubled down on his criticism of the civic infrastructure in the city, a day after the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) claimed pothole-free roads during the TCS World 10K run. In a post on X, Surya said, 'Ok, BBMP, now that you have said, we will believe that Bengaluru roads have no potholes. They are the best roads. And, you are simply the best. Slow claps.' Surya had earlier expressed displeasure over the condition of Bengaluru roads after taking part in the TCS 10k run Sunday. The 10-km stretch started from RSI Club on M G Road and concluded at Manekshaw Parade Ground on Cubbon Road, via Dickenson Road, Raj Bhavan, and K R Circle. In an open letter to Deputy Chief Minister and Benglauru Development Minister D K Shivakumar and former BBMP chief commissioner Tushar Giri Nath, Surya said Sunday, 'While it was a matter of great pride to see close to 40 thousand people, including some of the world's best athletes, senior citizens, participate in the event, it was equally disappointing to witness the state of our city's roads and public infrastructure – right in the heart of the CBD. The Central Business District (CBD) roads, which are supposed to be the best roads in the city, was in an absolutely pathetic state – like the roads in the rest of the city.' 'Many runners look forward to this event for years. They train, travel and participate with excitement. What we offered them was an obstacle race instead of a world-class experience,' he said in his post. He complained that not a single stretch of the route was free of potholes and claimed that many runners stumbled and sprained their ankles during the run. Responding to Surya's claims, the BBMP Monday issued a clarification saying that the organisers of the run had said there were no issues with the roads. It also noted that Abhishek Pal, who broke all previous records by completing the marathon in a time of 29 minutes and 12 seconds, attributed the success to the 'good condition' of the roads. The BBMP's executive engineer, East Division, submitted a report to the civic agency, dismissing Surya's claims as 'unfounded'. 'I was aware in advance of the 10,000-meter marathon event organized by TCS on the aforementioned date. Accordingly, I personally inspected the entire race route starting from April 21, accompanied by Claudius Saldanha, the organizer of the World's Premier 10K Run. During this inspection, minor road joints, surface cracks, and potholes along the course were identified and scheduled for repair. For your reference, I am attaching geo-stamped photographs taken during the inspection.' The engineer added, 'Additionally, white-topping works in progress on Maingard Road, Shivajinagar, were concealed using green shade nets. Adequate lighting and other necessary safety measures were also being implemented to ensure public safety and prevent inconvenience. In view of the above, I would like to respectfully clarify that the concerns raised regarding the condition of the roads and the safety of the race appear to be unfounded.' Meanwhile, Shivakumar, who flagged off the event, has not issued any statement on the matter. According to the BBMP's 2024 performance report, the Pothole Fix app, launched by the civic agency, received approximately 20,235 complaints of potholes. The BBMP claims to have fixed 11,309 potholes, while 1,449 remain unaddressed. It, however, reported that 6,249 complaints about potholes were found to be false.
Hans India
29-04-2025
- Hans India
'We Earn ₹60 LPA But Life Is Still Hard': Bengaluru Man's Viral Post on Urban Struggles
A viral Reddit post by a Bengaluru professional, now widely shared on X (formerly Twitter), has sparked debate about India's poor urban living conditions. Despite earning ₹60 lakh a year as a household, he expresses deep frustration and burnout with life in the city, highlighting the struggles faced by middle-class families. The Quality of Life Crisis Despite appearing 'comfortable on paper,' the man outlines how systemic inefficiencies are eating into his family's well-being. "The quality of life makes me question if living in India is even worth it anymore," he writes. Among his key concerns: Pathetic Infrastructure: Living in Horamavu, Bengaluru, he notes it takes 40 minutes to cover 3 km due to broken, dug-up roads and persistent bottlenecks. Projects, he says, are 'never-ending,' with no visible accountability. Exorbitant Road Taxes, No Returns: He claims to have paid ₹2.25 lakh more than he would in Delhi, only to be met with roads full of potholes and dust. 'Pure daylight robbery,' he calls it. Taxation Without Basic Services: Despite paying 30–40% in taxes and being subject to GST on almost everything, there's no free healthcare, decent public education, or guaranteed clean water. 'The middle class is getting milked dry,' he asserts. Daily Stressors and Safety Concerns: With rising pollution, noise, and aggressive traffic behavior, the writer feels even basic activities like walking or commuting are stressful. 'I don't feel safe sending my wife out after 7 PM,' he laments. Corruption at Every Turn: He recounts having to pay a ₹2,000 bribe just to get his paperwork processed. 'Nothing moves unless you bribe the babus,' he says, highlighting the deep rot in bureaucratic systems. Runaway Inflation: The cost of living, especially rent and school fees, has been rising disproportionately. While household help demand higher wages—rightfully, he notes—his own income isn't keeping up. Broader Echoes of Discontent The post struck a chord online, with many agreeing that Bengaluru's infrastructure is falling apart. Even BJP MP Tejasvi Surya echoed the concerns, slamming the BBMP for turning city roads into 'obstacle courses' during events like the TCS World 10K run. A Cry for Change, or a Sign to Exit? Despite his desire to 'build something here,' the writer concludes with a sobering question: "Is there any hope left? Or am I just being naive thinking things will improve?"A Bengaluru resident's viral Reddit post has sparked widespread debate on India's crumbling urban infrastructure, high taxes, and the daily struggles faced by middle-class families despite good incomes. The post serves as a reflection of the growing despair among India's working middle class—especially those who contribute significantly to the economy but feel left behind by policy, infrastructure, and governance.
