Drain grate on Ambedkar Veedhi broken within six months!

Y Maheswara Reddy|NT

When Bengaluru Smart City Limited (BSCL) takes up a project, people expect it to be a step ahead in quality and durability. But there is nothing ‘smart’ about the grate of a drain on Dr BR Ambedkar Veedhi which has not lasted even six months!

The BSCL has been spending crores of rupees for the development of roads and the quality of developmental works is supposed to be superior to the works taken up in other areas. Durability of the roads is also expected to be longer than that of normal roads in the city

However, it was shocking to see the traffic police putting up a few concrete blocks around the broken grate to caution unwary motorists, especially twowheeler riders to avoid road accidents. Traffic police have prohibited heavy vehicles, except Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses, on this road.

“What is the use of spending tax-payers’ money worth crores of rupees for the development of these roads if the authorities have no time to check the quality of drain grates? I want the authorities to take action against the contractor as well as BSCL engineer for not using quality products,’’ said Rajagopal Naidu, a pedestrian.

Coming down heavily on the BSCL authorities for sub-standard work, Naveen S, a two-wheeler rider, said he was all set to fall on the road but escaped. “I usually do not look for potholes or craters on this road as it was asphalted just six months ago. I was shocked to notice a few concrete blocks around the broken drain grate. I condemn the negligent attitude of the BSCL engineer and the contractor,’’ said Naveen.

Stating that BSCL took the maximum time for development of Ambedkar Veedhi, Purushotham K, a motorist, opined that the authorities have to work with dedication.