Bengaluru’s Balagere-Panathur Road continues to be a hazardous stretch, as a school van transporting children became completely stuck on the morning of September 19. This alarming incident marks the second time in less than ten days that a school vehicle has faced such a predicament on this very route. The crisis unfolded around 8:30 a.m., with local residents voicing their frustration and claiming that the poor state of the road left the driver unable to maneuver the vehicle safely.
Just recently, a school bus carrying twenty students had nearly overturned at this exact spot. The repeated failures to address the road’s condition have led residents to label it a ‘death trap’, emphasizing that despite numerous official inspections, no lasting solutions have been implemented.
One exasperated parent critically remarked, “The Deputy Chief Minister boasts about ‘Brand Bengaluru,’ but what we are experiencing is ‘Broken Bengaluru’ – a stark and dangerous reality on the ground.”
Following the previous incident, high-ranking officials from the East Corporation, including Commissioner D.S. Ramesh, personally visited the site. They offered assurances that immediate repair work would be initiated to prevent any further occurrences.
On September 12, a school bus ferrying nearly 20 children fell into a pothole on the Balagere–Panathur Road in Bengaluru. The children had to be rescued through the emergency exit. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Community members are now demanding stronger accountability. They insist that negligent contractors and the engineers responsible for the road’s maintenance must face legal consequences. Furthermore, residents stress that school authorities and drivers must adhere strictly to all safety protocols, asserting that the lives of children are non-negotiable. Locals are advocating for comprehensive, long-term road repairs, urging that these projects be conducted under stringent public monitoring to avoid temporary and ineffective quick fixes.