Umamageswari Maruthappan
The Karnataka High Court expressed its infuriation over the apathetic behaviour of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) towards the repairing of roads and footpaths.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Vishwajith Shetty lambasted the submissions of the authorities that there are around 400 potholes identified in the city.
“Are you (BBMP) serious that in the entire city of Bengaluru there are only around 400 potholes? Have you understood the legal services report correctly?” the Bench said while referring to the report submitted by the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority (KSLSA) that identified about 5,435 pothole and footpath issues. The number was revealed directly from the citizens through a Whatsapp chat survey.
The concerned petition was filed by Vijayan Menon in 2015 that highlighted the plight of roads in the city.
The Court even refused to accept the BMP’s submission that the tenders have been floated for the repair works. Two Chief Engineers had informed that repair works are in process. The Bench directed the BMP Commissioner to submit an affidavit stating the steps that it is intending to proceed with for repairing the roads and footpaths in Bengaluru.
The matter has been adjourned until 30th March 2021.