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All road works should be put under scrutiny
A disgrace
Hurdles in the path of every citizen. — Photo: K. Gopinathan
Makeshift, temporary repairs which don't last after one spell of heavy rain are what we see all around us. Some of the city roads are a disgrace even by standards of rural roads. A study of the latest in road building technology and use of alternative technology which is both cost-effective and long-lasting has become necessary for city planners. Frequent repairs should be prevented as far as possible. Contractors should be held responsible for such repairs.
G. Madhusudan,
Malleswaram, Bangalore
Conspiracy?
Looking at the state of our roads, one feels there must be a grand conspiracy among the BMP engineers, road contractors, and the rain gods. Nothing else can account for the way the roads become in the rainy season. If our new Mayor can really make things better, hats off to him.
S.N. Parameshwar,
Nandi Durg Road,
Bangalore
Bias
We have a few very well maintained roads in our city; mostly roads the VVIPs use whenever they visit Bangalore. Why can't all main thoroughfares be built to equally good standards? I don't agree with those who feel we lack adequate road building technology. What is really lacking is thorough monitoring by the BMP engineers and top officials.
V. Krishnamurthy,
Gandhi Bazaar, Bangalore
Poor standards
Bangalore may be world class in some respects but not in regard to roads and other public infrastructure. Being world class is not just holding glittering events but roads on which traffic can move at an average and safe speed of at least 40 kmph. without frequent swerves and stops to avoid potholes.
K. Sadashiva Reddy,
Domlur, Bangalore
Accountable?
One can perhaps see more potholes than the road itself in most localities of our city. I understand there is a provision now to make the contractors concerned responsible for any repairs within a specified period after a road has been relaid. Will the BMP let us know whether this stipulation is being enforced?
Sheila Raj,
Cox Town, Bangalore
Tall promise?
The Mayor promising to get rid of all potholes on roads within a fortnight is nothing new; his predecessors have made taller promises. If the Mayor really means business, he should subject every road work, whether repairs or broadening, to scrutiny by experts who are not attached to the BMP.
R. Ganesh,
Indiranagar, Bangalore
Will needed
Where there is a will, there is a way and this applies to having better roads and other basic amenities too. If those in positions of authority, such as the Mayor, want to get things done, they can be. Unless the powerful contractors' lobby insists on having the final say. If such pressures can be resisted, Bangalore can even have roads of world class standards.
Jayashree Murthy,
Ulsoor, Bangalore
The spirit counts
Modern technology is available to make roads more long-lasting. City roads take a lot of use and abuse from different kinds of vehicles.
They cannot be laid on the same standards as a side street in a residential layout. Better engineering is necessary.
I feel the Mayor's assurance should be taken more in the spirit of what it conveys: that he wants to do something to make life easier for the citizens.
He will also have other pressing problems on his hands and if the roads are repaired at least in a month's time, we should all feel happy.
G. Shankar,
Jayanagar, Bangalore
Pathetic
Equal importance should be given to the "non-VVIP roads", if the Mayor is really serious about providing us roads minus potholes. The pathetic state of some stretches of Dickenson Road (where no VIP motorcade ever goes) is an example of what roads should not be. Frequent digging by utility agencies is one reason for the poor state of city roads.If such defects can be corrected, there is no reason why we cannot have better roads.
B. Shalini,
Jayanagar, Bangalore
* * *
NEXT WEEK: The spate of new one-ways has made many bus shelters/bus stops redundant, including those built under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme. Does this not reflect a lack of long-term planning? Don't the short-term fixes waste public money? Readers are invited to send in their responses by December 26 to The Hindu, 19 & 21, Infantry Road, Bangalore-560001 or email bglreflections@thehindu.co.in
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Life
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Thiruvananthapuram
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