Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road (ORR), a crucial artery for the city, has long grappled with persistent issues concerning its roads and storm-water drains. However, there’s good news on the horizon, as M. Maheshwar Rao, Chief Commissioner of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), confirms these long-standing problems are finally nearing a complete resolution.
“My predecessor, Tushar Giri Nath sir, had already initiated the necessary steps to tackle the challenges in that area. All those projects are now on the verge of completion,” stated Mr. Rao, urging citizens to show patience and cooperation until the works are fully finalized.
Mr. Rao’s comments come amidst concerns raised by the Individual Tax Payers Forum (ITPF), a prominent citizens’ group representing areas like Varthur, Panathur, and Balagere. The ITPF had penned a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, criticizing civic agencies for what they described as “unscientific, incomplete, and poorly coordinated” white-topping and drainage initiatives, which have reportedly caused severe flooding, traffic disruptions, and significant inconvenience to daily life.
While acknowledging he had not yet received specific details about these particular complaints, Mr. Rao emphasized that residents are always encouraged to voice their concerns, assuring that all feedback would be thoroughly investigated.
“It’s inevitable that potholes will emerge during heavy monsoon rains, but we are committed to taking swift action to repair them. Even when high-quality work is executed, unforeseen problems can still arise during the rainy season,” Mr. Rao explained.
In a recent meeting with all chief engineers, Mr. Rao issued a clear directive: prioritize the immediate repair of potholes along the ORR. He further instructed that similar proactive measures be implemented on arterial, sub-arterial, and local ward-level roads to guarantee safe and unhindered commuting for everyone.
Additionally, he mandated that all ongoing white-topping projects be meticulously maintained to ensure smooth vehicle flow, holding contractors accountable for their regular upkeep. Mr. Rao also highlighted a critical issue: “Drainage pipes installed beneath flyovers, designed to channel rainwater away, have degraded in several areas. This has led to water cascading directly onto the roads, causing damage.” He firmly instructed the engineers to promptly inspect and replace any damaged pipes.