After outrage, cement bricks on side drains removed

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: After public outrage against the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) allegedly negligent work on a side drain of the Rajakaluve at Nelagadaranahalli road in ward 20, workers were seen removing the cemented bricks on Monday.

Nelagadaranahalli road connects the 8th mile to Tumakuru Road. It is known to be home to a lot of educational institutions and residential layouts. Recent reports suggest that the Palike contracted this work for Rs 20 crore.

However, residents lambasted the material used - cemented concrete bricks, instead of the conventional concrete walls, in an apparent bid to cut costs. They angrily removed the bricks and alleged that the BBMP awarded the tender to one contractor, but work was undertaken by a different contractor.

Workers told News Trail that concrete slabs will be installed after centering work is done which may take around three days. When approached, both the contractor and the engineer for Storm Water Drains (SWD) were not available for comment.

Many such instances have been reported and the BBMP has been under the scanner for such faulty work. However, it is the tax-paying citizen who faces the brunt of poor infrastructure.