Is the Pothole Crisis Being Addressed? CM Siddaramaiah Inspects Bengaluru Roads

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- One-month deadline set for pothole repairs in Bengaluru.
- Executive Engineer suspended for poor road maintenance.
- Government spending Rs 13 crore per kilometer for repairs.
- Immediate cleanup ordered for unmanaged waste along roads.
- Legal proceedings ongoing regarding the caste census survey.
Bengaluru, Sep 27 (NationPress) In response to widespread criticism regarding the deteriorating condition of roads and the troubling issue of potholes in Bengaluru, Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah undertook a thorough inspection of the city’s roads. He has set a one-month deadline for repairs to ensure the roads are safe for vehicles.
During a media briefing on Saturday, following his inspection rounds, he emphasized the need for immediate action to address the pothole situation. Instructions have been issued to ensure that the pothole repairs are of high quality. The Chief Minister also announced the suspension of the concerned Executive Engineer due to the substandard nature of previous road repairs.
The Chief Minister noted that many potholes were inadequately filled, merely covered with jelly without proper tar surfacing. He mentioned that the white-topping project on Hennur Road is currently in progress, with maintenance falling under the contractor's responsibility.
The government is investing Rs 13 crore per kilometer for a 5 km stretch of road, with a strict one-month timeline to finalize the repairs. He assured that all potholes would be addressed within this timeframe.
When questioned about the perception that the repairs are only happening due to inspections, he acknowledged that potholes indeed pose a risk for accidents. He pointed out that if the previous BJP government had taken adequate measures, the roads would not have become this severely damaged. He committed to fixing the potholes before the rainy season concludes.
On the topic of BJP MP Tejasvi Surya urging citizens not to engage in the caste census, he stated that a legal petition has been filed to halt the survey, which will proceed according to the court's ruling. He revealed that approximately 10 lakh individuals have already participated in the survey.
Furthermore, addressing concerns about waste management, the Chief Minister remarked on the ongoing issue of unmanaged waste scattered along various roads. He has ordered immediate cleanup operations and warned that failure to comply will result in disciplinary actions against relevant commissioners and engineers.