Residents invite ‘Lord Yama’ to highlight deadly potholes

NT Correspondent
Bengaluru

Months ago, residents of the Anjanapura Main Road in south Bengaluru had staged a unique protest by crossing a potholeridden road using a small boat. The same residents, on Saturday, invoked ‘Lord Yama’, the God of death, to travel on the same road.

To highlight the issue of the miserable condition of the road and difficulties faced by commters, the local residents and resident welfare associations in the area invited Yama, who, along with his customary vahana (vehicle) a buffalo, walked the stretch of the road.

Abdul Aleem, president of Changemakers of Kanakapura Road, said, “The stretch is a key link between Bannerghatta and Kanakapura roads and daily used by hundreds of people, including working professionals.” The residents of the area say the pothole was always overflowing during the rainy season, making it dangerous for people. “This road was dug up a few months ago, and the BBMP is still not filling the holes,” said a resident of the area.

Sreepathy, secretary of Royal Park Residency, said, “Previously, when residents protested using coracles, the MLA visited the area and the government- sanctioned Rs 25 crore to develop and asphalt the 13 km stretch, but only 2-3 km was asphalted,” he said.

The MLA, M Krishnappa, said there is a delay in asphalting the road because of the ongoing laying of Cauvery and sanitary pipelines. Stating that the government has released all required funds for the project, Krishanappa said, “We are also working on reducing the height of the slope so that it does not pose any threat to commuters. There is no shortage of money for the project, and I regret any inconvenience to residents due to work. When the rain stops, we will speed up the work and complete it at the earliest.”