Infrastructure work creates ruckus ; worries commuters

BENGALURU:All of forty stretches in the city have been under infrastucture work, much to the worry of commuters, for whom, navigating through the narrow streets of Bangalore is already a Herculean task. Traffic police have given permission for carrying out infrastructure work on 38 roads. While the BBMP is whitetopping (covering with concrete) 18 roads, the BWSSB has taken up pipeline and drainage work on 14 stretches. Added to this, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) and Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) work is progressing on three roads each.

With no alternative plans or routes, commuters are stranded in traffic for long during peak traffic hours. Motorists are left to travel several roads at less than 10kmph on several stretches, due to whitetopping and Metro work. Traffic congestion is expected to increase on Bannerghatta Road after the demolition of Jayadeva flyover. Poor coordination among these civic agencies is an added inconvenience.

Commenting on the situation, BBMP commissioner N Manjunatha Prasad said “We understand inconvenience is being caused to commuters, but have deployed additional workers and machines to complete the work before May,” he said. However, BWSSB chairman Tushar Girinath couldn't give a completion date. He said, “We need to expand our network to cater to the growing demands of the city. We are working in coordination with agencies like BBMP and BMRCL.”