BENGALURU: District in-charge Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Monday set October 5 as the deadline for Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials to fill potholes across the city.
This includes all arterial and sub-arterial roads.
This is not the first time that a deadline has been set. While the chief minister set May 31 as deadline to fill potholes, Reddy had fixed June 8.
Soon, all BDA roads will be handed over to BBMP for maintenance, Reddy told reporters after a review meeting with officials of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, Bangalore Development Authority and Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board.
Reddy admitted that potholes were causing many accidents in the city.
Just last week, a 25-year-old woman techie, riding pillion on her husband’s two-wheeler, died when she fell off the vehicle as her husband swerved to the right to avoid a pothole at Devarabisanahalli on Old Airport Road.
The minister claimed that the potholes have increased due to the rain.
He also blamed the various stakeholders who cut roads for laying pipes and cables.
While saying that tenders to repair potholes should be called before monsoon, Reddy admitted that this time it had been delayed. He, however, was quick to add that it wouldn’t be delayed anymore. He said that from September 24 to October 6, he will visit major roads coming under various zones and limits. Officials will be given deadlines to fix potholes on major roads falling in their areas.
“When I go for inspection, pothole-filling work should be completed,” he said.
Asked about the number of potholes in the city, Reddy said he was not seeking the number from officials, but they have to fix the potholes.
Pointing out that the BBMP elections had kept officials busy, he said, “Now that the elections are over, officials will be asked to work on war footing.”
“Till now, junior officials were blamed if potholes were not repaired. Henceforth, action will be taken against zonal commissioners. Also, assistant engineers on deputation will be sent back to their parent department, while disciplinary action will be initiated against BBMP engineers,” Reddy warned.
Online Service
BBMP Commissioner Kumar Naik said henceforth one should apply online for road cutting. This includes government agencies including BWSSB. “This is an attempt to maintain inter-department co-ordination during road cutting,” he said.
On road history register, Naik said 85 per cent of compilation of city roads data was completed. “The whole process will be completed in 45 days to two months. The same will be made available online on the BBMP website after completion,” he said.
Past Deadlines
May 31: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s deadline to fill potholes
June 8: Ramalinga Reddy’s deadline