Yet another deadline for Avenue Road works!

By Y Maheswara Reddy | NT

Bengaluru: Bengaluru Smart City Limited (BSCL) Chairman and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanag ara Palike (BBMP) Administrator Rakesh Singh has asked the contractor to complete development works of the Avenue Road within 20 days. Singh issued the directive after inspecting the road on Thursday.

However, businessmen on Avenue Road are not ready to take BSCL Chairman’s latest deadline seriously since the road work has already missed many deadlines.

He had visited the road on February 24 and directed the BSCL engineer and contractor to complete the work by March 31. Prior to it, the works missed two deadlines: June and August 2021. The white-topping work on 1.08-km Avenue Road began in January 2021.

“Our Chairman has directed us to complete the ongoing works in 20 days. He has also advised us to continue the work without disturbing business activities on Avenue Road. We are confident of completing the work in 20 days,’’ said BSCL Assistant Executive Engineer Chandrasekhar.

“We completed white topping a few months ago. We have also completed the construction of storm water drain, utility services ducts, and 100 mm water pipelines. Laying of 300 mm water pipelines is at the final stage. Installing streetlight poles and the construction of footpaths are in progress. We will complete all the pending works in 20 days,’’ said Chandrasekhar, adding that around 50 workers are working day and night to complete the pending works.

Citizens feel that Singh visited the road to avoid criticism from traders and businessmen. “He had visited Avenue Road two months ago but had to make a hasty retreat quickly to avoid facing traders and businessmen. I wrote letters to him emphasising the need to complete the ongoing works as early as possible since Avenue Road is one of the major business hubs in the city,’’ said Gopal T, a social activist.

Appealing to the BSCL authorities to ensure quality in the road works, a businessman on a condition of anonymity has said the quality of the ongoing works is not up to the mark. “I do not want the BSCL to repeat the story of Commercial Street on Avenue Road. Let them take more time to complete the work provided quality,’’ said the businessman.

Sajjan Raj Meta, a trade activist, has said that it has become a routine for BSCL Chairman to visit Avenue Road often and forget about the ongoing developmental works. “I want the BSCL contractor to honour the latest deadline and complete all the pending works. If the contractor fails to meet the latest deadline, the BSCL authorities have to blacklist him and it will be a lesson for other contractors delaying the work,’’ said Sajjan Raj Mehta.