Was the Pothole Menace Behind the Tragic Death of a Bengaluru B.Com Student?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Tragic loss of a young life highlights road safety issues.
- Pothole menace poses serious risks for two-wheeler riders.
- Authorities face outrage from the community over road conditions.
- Government pledges to address infrastructure concerns.
- Immediate action is required to prevent future tragedies.
Bengaluru, Sep 29 (NationPress) A tragic incident occurred when a 22-year-old female student lost her life after being struck by a tipper lorry. She fell onto the road while attempting to navigate around a pothole on Monday, within the jurisdiction of the K.R. Puram traffic police station in Bengaluru.
The young woman, identified as Dhanushree, was in her second year of a B.Com program at a private college in Bengaluru. The accident took place near Budigere Cross, in close proximity to Avalahalli. While riding her two-wheeler en route to college, she swerved to avoid a pothole, lost control, and fell onto the road.
A tipper lorry approaching from behind ran over her, resulting in her immediate death. The driver of the lorry fled the scene without offering assistance. The accident was so horrific that the victim's head was crushed under the vehicle's wheels. This has sparked significant outrage among local residents.
Community members have voiced concerns about the road conditions at Budigere Cross, reporting numerous potholes and debris, including soil and jelly stones, making it perilous for two-wheeler riders.
Officials from the K.R. Puram traffic police and Avalahalli crime police stations arrived promptly at the scene. The Avalahalli police have initiated a hit-and-run investigation while the K.R. Puram traffic police are conducting their inquiries. The body of the student has been transported to a private hospital for further proceedings.
The deteriorating road infrastructure and pothole issues in Bengaluru have ignited discussions, with leaders from the IT sector criticizing the Karnataka government.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who also serves as Bengaluru Development Minister, previously caused a stir by asserting that IT firms could not coerce him with threats of relocating from the city due to poor road conditions.
Later, Shivakumar mentioned his plans to meet with IT representatives to address their concerns. When questioned, he remarked, 'Certainly, I am meeting with IT companies. They are our allies, but they must understand their responsibilities as well.'
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, after inspecting roads in Bengaluru last Saturday, acknowledged the increase in potholes during the monsoon season and set a one-month deadline for repairs to ensure roads are safe for traffic.
'It is indeed true that potholes plague our roads. However, had these been addressed during the BJP government's time, we wouldn't be facing this issue now. It is crucial to fill these potholes before the monsoon concludes,' he emphasized.
CM Siddaramaiah also noted that in certain areas, waste has been left unattended on the streets. He has instructed for immediate cleanup, warning that failure to comply will result in action against the responsible commissioner and engineers.