The Bengaluru Bruhat Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is under scrutiny once again for its handling of potholes across the city. As of August 19, there are 2,302 reported potholes, with only 155 having been filled so far. Officials attribute the slow progress to ongoing rains, which have hampered the effectiveness of repairs.
The pothole repair process is currently limited to temporary fixes using cold mix, applied only when the rain permits. The BBMP operates its own plant for aggregate supply, and repairs are prioritized based on urgency. The highest number of complaints have been recorded in the Bengaluru South and Mahadevapura zones, with 476 and 465 complaints respectively. The heavy traffic in these areas contributes to the accelerated damage, officials explained.
Additional issues include potholes emerging from recent work by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom), which are also expected to address the repairs. However, continuous rain has significantly delayed the maintenance work, which is also hindered by the terms of the defective liability period—where contractors are responsible for repairs only if damage occurs within the contract’s validity period of three to five years.
The BBMP has dismissed 259 complaints as duplicates. Looking ahead, a major initiative involves a ₹1,800 crore project to white-top 150 km of major and arterial roads, which aims to prevent future pothole issues.
In response to recent flooding and water-logging caused by heavy rains, BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath has instructed officials to address rainwater stagnation and blockages. Measures will include surveying and listing problem areas and preventing silt and garbage from obstructing drains.
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