Under construction for four years

Narayanapura’s pothole ridden road has led to an increase in accidents in the area

The BBMP have ignored the condition of the road leading to Narayanapura, making it a deathtrap for commuters and residents.

“This shows the BBMP’s complete disregard for the city’s outskirts,” said Fr. Jose Kutty, principal of Narayanapura’s Kristu Jayanti College.

“There have been at least 20 accidents in three years because of the condition of the roads. This is not counting the number of falls that students on bikes have every day,” he said.

In 2007, a student from the college was killed in a road accident in this area.

“It takes real effort to get to college, I’ve had a couple of really bad falls over the last year,” said Vineeth, a student from the college. “The way it stands, it is only a matter of time before another fatality occurs on this road.”

The BBMP officials said that they have dug up the road to straighten and rebuild it.

“They have been saying that for a while now,” says Jose Kutty. “They even brought machinery onto the site twice last year, but recalled it a day later. When I asked them why, they said that the contractors were absconding.”

Meanwhile, the monsoons make the area a “living hell,” Kutty said.

“The roads are marshy and last year, three cars got stuck in a ditch. It’s impossible to get across when it rains,” said Neelam Issac, a student of the college.

A 20 meter-long ditch runs along the road, making it difficult for pedestrians to get across.

“Last year the BBMP built a ‘foot bridge’ over this ditch. In a week’s time, the bridge sank and was covered in debris,” said Kutty. “Their work is all just eyewash.”

The college and residents have brought up these issues with the BBMP several times. This reporter compiled a report on the state of these roads for the Deccan Herald in 2006. College authorities say they have filed numerous complaints with the BBMP. A protest march was even organized by the students across the Hennur-Bagalur road.

Residents from the housing colonies in Narayanapura have come to accept their plight.

“Nothing is ever going to change,” said Ruth Sam, who lives at the top of the road. “The market is on the other end of the road, so we have to use to get across anyway. I’ve had problems with my back after having to drive on that road several times a day.”

Auto rickshaw drivers refuse to take any passengers into Narayanapura because of the roads, she added.

“During my pregnancy, I had to take my chances with the pothole-ridden road,” said Reena Jain, a professor at the college. “It is really dangerous and I wish something could be done.”