Bengaluru: Cauvery thirst leads Horamavu to hellish roads

BENGALURU: Commuting on roads in Horamavu, a northeast Bengaluru locality, is nothing short of a nightmare. For over a year now, the stretches have remained in a dismal condition — with their asphalted surfaces peeled off, they are anything but motorable.


Initially, residents of the area were unhappy with the lack of basic amenities like Cauvery water and requested Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to provide piped water to them. The utility began digging roads and laying water pipelines, but the work is getting delayed and the streets are yet to be restored.


“We lacked water supply for many years and would fight for Cauvery lines every day. BWSSB decided to heed our pleas but failed to fix the damage it caused to the roads,” said Arunagiri P, resident of

Kalkere

, off Horamavu.

The recent rain has only made matters worse. The roads have turned slippery posing a danger to pedestrians and motorists. Kalkere Road, Kane Road, Jayanthi Road and Raghavendra Road have been dug up. “For a year now, we have been complaining to officials. They had assured us they’d repair the roads by August 30 but it’s unlikely to happen,” said Yohan S, a resident. There are at least four accidents every day on Horamavu Main Road alone, Yohan added.

BBMP chief engineer Parameshwariah (Mahadevapura) said BWSSB is digging up roads for laying water pipes and for drain work. “Once it finishes the work, we will begin road restoration,” he said. “We have received Rs 8 crore for development of roads in and around Horamavu. But we have to wait till BWSSB work is over.”

Horamavu corporator Radhamma Venkatesh lamented that residents were not understanding the situation. Radhamma said: “They say they need Cauvery water and when the work begins, they blame us. How can we provide Cauvery water without digging roads and laying pipes?”

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