Bangalore, Auguat 9, 2013: Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials have set a new deadline of one month to complete the re-laying of the stormwater drain on Magrath Road.
Residents of the vicinity are, however, sceptical about the completion of the work as it has been pending for the last five years.
“Earlier, the Palike had set February 2011 as a deadline, which was later put off to December 2011. I do not expect anything better from this deadline either,” said Girish Kumar, a commuter on Magrath Road.
According to Palike authorities, the box drains in the stretch between H M Tower on Brigade Road and Garuda Mall were small and blocked, which led to frequent waterlogging, especially during the monsoon season.
Complaint
“Residents used to complain about flooding of surrounding areas including Brigade Road, Magrath Road and Commissariat Road. Hence, the work of remodelling the SWD has been taken up. It involves laying of bigger box drains from the Brigade Road to Garuda Mall stretch,” said Palike Engineer (East Zone), Krishnaswamy.
BBMP Chief Engineer, SWD and Major Roads, H C Ananthaswamy maintained that a major part of the work had been finished, except the laying of a box drain near Garuda Mall.
“The contractors have refused to work due to payment issues. Also, there was objection from the Traffic police in the matter.
We will be finishing the pending work within a month,” said Ananthaswamy. However, he refused to divulge the cost of the project.
Traffic jams
Traffic police say that the ongoing work has resulted in frequent traffic jams. Sampath Kumar, traffic constable with the Ashok Nagar Police Station said, “Vehicles coming from Commissariat Road, Mayo Hall and Residency Road have a tough time negotiating the stretch, especially during peak hours. This is because the motorists from these routes who go towards Majestic, KR Market, Ejipura and other neighbouring areas have to pass through the dug up road.”
