Diversions around Madiwala Lake leave commuters confused

Bengaluru, 

Ongoing development work at Madiwala Lake has forced MICO Layout traffic police to impose diversions in the area, leaving regular commuters confused and frustrated. According to officials from the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), the lake premises are currently being developed with new pathways and fencing. However, the latest diversions have primarily been put in place due to the construction of new sluice gates at one end of the lake under a World Bank-funded project.

During a brief inspection of the area, News Trail found several commuters stopping near barricades, unsure of how to reach their destinations. One gig worker who stopped at a barricade to ask for directions expressed frustration over the repeated civic works across the city. “There’s always some work going on in this city. Now it will cost us more time to deliver,” he said before heading towards the main road and attempting to take the wrong side to reach his destination.

The barricades have been placed to protect a newly constructed drain connected to the lake’s drainage system. Since the concrete work was completed only recently, officials said the drain would likely take another week or two to be fully ready. According to the MICO Layout police inspector, the diversions are expected to remain in place for around a month. They will remain for a month until the work is completed. The project is expected to be finished within a month,” the officer said.

Officials from Madiwala traffic police conveyed similar information. Traffic congestion has meanwhile increased in the area as commuters continue adjusting to alternate routes, particularly the unfinished mud road running alongside the lake. Nadeem Ahmed, a resident who regularly commutes through the stretch, said the diversions had caused significant inconvenience. “It is causing a lot of trouble right now. We either have to take the dirt road around the lake or come through the wrong side of the main road. I usually take the dirt road, but it is very rocky,” he said.

The temporary route has existed for more than a year and is yet to be asphalted. It came into use during the construction of the Madiwala Lake bund, which was built to prevent the lake from overflowing and flooding nearby areas. Despite the inconvenience, residents said they hoped the diversions would be removed soon and that the lake development works would eventually benefit the area. “Right now it is difficult because traffic keeps piling up, but the work is being done for the city’s benefit. Hopefully, it will be over soon so we won’t have to put up with it for too long,” Ahmed added.