White-topping project causes business disruption and traffic woes

A white-topping project along a 400-meter stretch in Basavanagudi's N.R. Colony has caused significant disruption to local businesses and residents. The project, which began 2 months ago, is estimated to take 8 to 9 months to complete, with an overall cost of ?23.5 crore. While officials from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) are working to complete the project swiftly, the ongoing construction is creating daily challenges for residents and vendors in the area. Business owners have voiced concerns over the significant drop in customers due to the ongoing construction.

Santhosh Rao, the owner of a well-established hotel, South Kitchen and Dosa Master expressed his frustration saying, ''we are suffering 50% loss due to this and it has become a huge problem for commuters and motorists alike. "Since the construction started, my business has suffered. Customers are avoiding the area because of the dug-up roads, and it's especially difficult for elderly people to access our shop." Ravi Kumar, who runs a popular vegetable stall near the N.R. Colony bus stop echoed similar sentiments. "The traffic jams caused by the construction are making it hard for people to come to the market.

It is affecting my sales, and sometimes, I'm left with unsold produce at the end of the day." Girish, who owns a textile shop, felt the roadwork is deterring regular customers. "Before the work started, I had steady foot traffic, but now, people are avoiding the area. It is hurting our livelihood, and there's no clear communication on when things will improve." Local bakery owner, Sunitha Chakyar, added, "The dust from the construction is unbearable. It's affecting the quality of our food, and we are seeing fewer customers each day. The sooner they finish the project, the better it will be for all of us." Residents in the area are also experiencing significant inconvenience. Sunil Reddy, a resident of N.R. Colony said, "Navigating the roads has become a nightmare.

The narrow lanes are now clogged with pipes, and traffic during peak hours moves at a snail's pace. It's affecting our daily commute, and we're forced to take longer routes to avoid the chaos." Meena Joshi, another resident, described the challenge of visiting the local market. "We used to go to the market daily for vegetables, but now it's hard to even get there. The dust and the dug-up roads make it nearly impossible to walk." BBMP officials are aware of the issues caused by the project and are trying to address them. A senior BBMP official acknowledged the challenges faced by businesses and residents in the commercial area.