Potholes and official indifference claim one more life in Bengaluru
BENGALURU: Apathy of netas and BBMP has snuffed out one more life on the city roads. Even before Bengaluru can get over the shock of the death of a couple due to a pothole last week, a woman pillion rider died after she was mowed down by a lorry when her nephew tried to negotiate a pothole in Nayandahalli on Mysore Road on Sunday morning.
tried to negotiate a pothole in Nayandahalli on Mysore Road on Sunday
| NAGESH POLALI
The failure of BBMP and Bengaluru Development Minister K J George in acting immediately, at least after the public outrage that had erupted in the aftermath of the death of the couple, has put the lives of two-wheeler commuters in peril as it was witnessed on Mysore Road on Sunday. George had then said potholes can be filled only after the end of this battering rain spell.
However, the continuing dance of death on the city roads has failed to make even the BBMP act as Mayor Sampath Raj expressed his helplessness again to fix the potholes on a war-footing. He stuck to his stand that they would need at least 15 days of sunshine to fill the potholes.
On Sunday, the incident took place around 9.35 am when Radha Anjanappa (52), along with her nephew Ravi Kumar, was heading towards Ramanagara on a scooter to see her ailing mother Venkatamma. As they arrived near Nayandahalli, Ravi noticed a pothole and applied brakes suddenly. The duo fell down as Ravi could not balance the vehicle. He fell to his left side and Radha fell on the right. A lorry carrying bricks which was behind the scooter ran over Radha’s neck killing her on the spot. Though passersby shifted her to Victoria hospital, she was declared brought dead.
Byatarayanapura Traffic Police have taken the driver into custody and booked him for rash and negligent driving.
Radha was a resident of Shampura in Devara Jeevanahalli, Bengaluru and wife of Anjanappa who works as BMTC bus driver.This is the third death reported in the city within a week where people have lost their lives while navigating roads riddled with potholes. Incidentally the three deaths have taken place on Mysore Road.
On October 3, Anthony Joseph (55) and Sagaya Mary (53), residents of JJ Nagar, came under the wheels of a private bus on Mysore Road flyover near KR Market when Anthony tried to veer around a pothole.Their eight-year-old granddaughter Sarain was injured in the mishap.
People block road
Locals and commuters blocked the Mysore-Bengaluru Road and staged a protest demanding that the authorities take action against the BBMP officials and fill up the potholes. Traffic on Mysore Road came to a halt. The traffic cops took some time to convince the protesters and ensure free vehicle movement. Later, BBMP swung into action and filled up the potholes at the spot
of the accident.
Be cautious, says Mayor
Mayor R Sampath Raj who visited the spot had a piece of advice for the public: “Be cautious for a few days.” He said, “We have already identified the potholes and we need 15 days without rain to fill them up. We are also calling for a meeting with civic agencies on Monday in this regard. We have been carrying out quick-fix repairs.” He announced `5 lakh compensation to the victim’s family.