Latest news with #TenderSURE
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Neglected Hubballi's TenderSURE road demands attention
Hubballi: The TenderSURE project, implemented to provide better infrastructure and enhance the city's appearance, requires immediate attention to restore its intended purpose. The 2.19-km TenderSURE road in North Karnataka's Hubballi requires immediate maintenance and oversight. Since its public opening in 2019, despite initial efforts by police and municipal authorities to maintain this Rs 35 crore infrastructure project, the road from Arts College Circle to Tolankere via Shirur Park deteriorated significantly and requires urgent attention. The situation worsened due to inadequate oversight from civic bodies and law enforcement. Vehicle parking along the roadside and commercial establishments encroaching upon pedestrian walkways have created congestion on this stretch, which extends from Arts College Circle to Tolankere via Shirur Park. Currently, pedestrians are finding it difficult to use the footpaths as shopkeepers have extended their businesses onto them. Despite having parking spaces in commercial complexes and others, motorists park their vehicles haphazardly on both sides of the road, causing traffic congestion. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Local residents have expressed concerns about the deteriorating condition of this flagship project. The road, which was meant to showcase modern urban infrastructure, now exhibits signs of wear and tear. The tiles on footpaths are broken in many places, and the road markings have faded considerably. Initially, during the road's inauguration, both police and civic officials collaborated to establish designated parking zones. However, the implementation of this plan was mysteriously halted. Currently, vehicles are routinely parked along the road's edges, alleged people. Umesh Dushi, a social activist, said traffic police initiated periodic drives to clear illegal parking and encroachments, but the problem resurfaces within days. The authorities need to implement a permanent solution, including regular maintenance schedules and strict enforcement of parking rules. Commissioner of HDMC, Rudresh Ghali, said a dedicated meeting with the police department would be arranged regarding the TenderSURE road. He said they would work towards clearing all obstacles from the road and strictly remove footpath encroachments. He said enforcement actions would commence shortly.
India Today
6 days 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.
