Copyright newskarnataka
BENGALURU: The East City Corporation has finally started repair work on three major road stretches that had remained in disrepair for several years, providing some relief to long-suffering residents. The stretches under repair include Panathur Road, Balagere Main Road, and Vibgyor School Road, according to officials quoted in a Deccan Herald report. Years of poor roads and drainage woes Residents had for years raised concerns about the broken roads and the absence of proper roadside drains, which worsened flooding during heavy rains. Civic groups repeatedly petitioned authorities for upgrades, warning that crumbling surfaces were becoming hazardous for both motorists and pedestrians. Clement Jayakumar, a member of the Mahadevapura Taskforce collective, said that while the current repairs are welcome, additional grants are urgently needed to asphalt other damaged stretches in Mahadevapura. Current works underway Officials confirmed that Panathur Road and Vibgyor School Road have already been asphalted, while Balagere Main Road is undergoing white-topping. However, the quality of some of the new work has raised early concerns. On Panathur Road, commuters pointed out gaps on the freshly asphalted surface, suggesting possible incorrect gradation of asphalt. Fears are growing that the repairs may not last long if quality checks are not enforced. 90-day crash action plan The works are part of a larger 90-day crash action plan announced by Bengaluru authorities to address civic challenges such as potholes, garbage accumulation, and traffic bottlenecks, particularly along the Outer Ring Road (ORR) corridor. October: Focus on making major roads motorable through resurfacing, asphalting, and white-topping. Officials have also pledged to blacklist contractors for substandard work and ensure the use of approved bitumen grades, such as VG-30, to guarantee road durability. Residents question patchwork repairs Despite the promises, residents remain sceptical. A viral social media post recently highlighted workers applying cold-mix asphalt in a “throw-and-roll” manner without proper edge cutting, debris clearance, or tack coating — techniques considered essential for long-lasting road repair. Activists argue that unless strict quality control is implemented, the city will continue to see its roads crumble soon after resurfacing. The patchwork style of repairs, they claim, is a superficial solution that fails to address Bengaluru’s long-standing road infrastructure problems. While the new repairs mark a positive step, questions over quality and durability persist. With civic authorities promising stricter oversight and citizens demanding accountability, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Bengaluru’s 90-day plan can deliver lasting improvements.
