BANGALORE: The drainage work being carried out near the Angala Parameshwari Temple on Magadi Road around the second week of February had bought the traffic to a standstill on Vattal Nagraj Road as the buses plying towards K R Market, Koramangala via Market Road, Peenya Via Magadi, Girinagar, and Srinagara had to take this alternate route.
Since the traffic was not allowed to move near the Angala Parameshwari Temple it became difficult not only for the commuters but also the traffic police who had to man the traffic round-the-clock near the Okalipuram Junction (Vattal Nagraj Road).
In a report titled 'Development halts traffic at Okalipuram' published on February 11, we had reported on the plight of the commuters, pedestrians and the Traffic Police Department due to delay in the ongoing works.
When City Express had spoken to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) then, they were busy passing the buck at each other.
But, now the work is finally completed and the commuters can use the said stretch on Magadi Road. Though the authorities concerned failed to meet the February 21 deadline, they managed to finish the work by March 21 (the road wasn't opened for traffic immediately).
The 25-year-old drain pipe on Magadi Road which was broken and damaged was the bone of contention. But, before the BBMP could repair it, they needed the BWSSB to separate the water line which was running along the drainage.
Police Sub Inspector Srinivasa said, "Thankfully, the work is complete now though past the deadline. Another reason for less vehicular movement on Vattal Nagraj Road is because we have now let vehicles pass through the junction near the Prasunna Theatre." He added, "Interestingly, another reason for the reduced traffic flow is the exam season. Most of the parents end up taking leave from work to teach their kids as the examinations are fast approaching and hence they don't venture out."
When we spoke to Thimmegowda, the contractor responsible for finishing the developmental work on Magadi Road, said, "We finished the work almost on time.
The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) and the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) took time for the utility shifting, as the electric line was running from as far as the Victoria Hospital.
Hence, the work in turn got delayed." When asked about the cost of the entire project, he said, "It cost the BBMP around Rs 95 lakh." The ward corporator of Okalipuram was unavailable for comments.