BENGALURU: Despite criticism of TenderSure roads from many quarters, the state government has sanctioned 13 more roads for the project in the Central Business District (CBD) areas. These are among the 25 roads proposed earlier.
A reality check by Express reveals the old TenderSure roads are already showing signs of wear and tear. They are also plagued by numerous issues ranging from damaged footpath slabs and potholes to parking violations.
TenderSure roads are expected to last longer and the monitoring system in place is supposed to be strict. It is also expected that standards are adhered to. However, there seems to be a total lack of maintenance on these roads.
“On most of the streets, including St Mark’s Road, the poles on the footpaths are broken and vandalised. Slabs are missing from pavements near Cash Pharmacy on Residency Road. Huge sums of money were spent on construction of these roads and pavements. We must ensure its proper maintenance,” said Rajeev Nahata, a commuter.
Kamil Rajendra, who runs a shop at St Mark’s Road, said, “Footpaths invite danger on these roads. Most of the slabs on the pavements have come off and dustbins are missing on several roads, including St Mark’s Road. The bus shelter near the petrol bunk on St Mark’s road is also damaged.”
Another commuter, Kushal P, pointed towards the broken footpath slabs and pothole-ridden road adjacent to Cunningham Road. “The entire stretch near Cunningham Road is filled with potholes for over a year now,” he said.
Parking is another major issue. Many vehicles, including school buses, are seen parked haphazardly on the kerbs of the TenderSure roads.
Traffic expert M N Sreehari said, “There are innumerable flaws in the design. It has not been done scientifically. Again, the interlocking of blocks has not been executed properly and that is why they are coming out at various areas.”
BBMP Chief Engineer (Major roads) K T Nagaraj, however, said, “We are waiting for BWSSB to lay the sanitary lines from Mount Carmel College to Chandrika Hotel. Meanwhile, we just made the road motorable and laid the pavements. Hence, the potholes exist on them. Footpaths have been damaged at several places by private builders who dump construction material carelessly.”
“It is difficult to keep a tab on miscreants who have been vandalising our property. It is the job of the traffic police to check that vehicles are parked in designated spaces,” he added.
He further said the civic body wanted 25 such roads to be approved in the third phase, but the government sanctioned only 13. Of these, Church Street and Brigade Road see high pedestrians density. Inclusion of other roads are likely in the near future.