Lokayukta pulls up BBMP over poor condition of roads
By Yathiraju | Express News Service | Published: 27th October 2017 01:59 AM |
Last Updated: 27th October 2017 10:53 AM | A+A A- |
Deaths due to potholes have dented the image of India’s IT capital | pushkar V
BENGALURU: Expressing serious concern over the dent in image of India’s IT capital on a global level on account of the series of deaths caused by potholes, the Lokayukta has slammed the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
“Bengaluru city is one of the most important cities in the country. It has attracted a large number of people from across the country and from other countries. No doubt, there are a large number of roads located within the BBMP limits, but that cannot be an excuse for not maintaining the roads in good condition. The conditions of the roads in city would reflect the commitment of the authorities for the growth of the city and attract investors both from within the country and from outside the country,” Lokayukta Justice P Vishwanatha Shetty said.
In an order dated October 23 that was issued on receiving the status report from BBMP on the condition of roads, Justice Shetty said the maintenance of roads with the city limits is BBMP’s duty. “It is the duty of the chief engineers of each zones to supervise the work of the jurisdictional engineers who are on the spot and to see that roads are maintained in good, proper and motorable conditions. The BBMP has the details of the roads that are deteriorated. It is the duty of the engineering department of the BBMP to take immediate remedial measures,” he ordered.
“Two weeks time is granted to file the status report from today to show the further progress in the work carried out and also to show that the assurance given has been fully complied within November 10, 2017, the next date of hearing,” Justice Shetty said. BBMP submitted the status report in response to a notice issued by the Lokayukta after registering suo moto case on the series of deaths due to potholes in city.
No response from Metro
Neither Pradeep Singh Kharola, Managing Director, Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited, nor his representative appeared before Lokayukta. A notice was issued to Kharola as roads were damaged due to ongoing Metro rail work.
