As the academic year begins, students across Bengaluruare navigating a difficult and unsafe start, with several roads leading to schools and colleges in poor condition. Despite the onset of the monsoon, many stretches remain neglected, causing concern for both safety and accessibility.

Children as young as four are being forced to walk through pothole-ridden roads and broken footpaths during peak hours. Parents have voiced growing alarm, saying the situation has moved beyond mere inconvenience and now threatens the safety of students.

While the BBMP announced a ₹694-crore asphalting plan covering 390 km, residents allege that road improvements were guided by political recommendations rather than actual needs. As a result, roads near several educational institutions have been overlooked.

Among the severely affected areas are Babusapalya near St Vincent Pallotti School, access roads to schools in Hosakerehalli, Mallasandra, Munnekollal, Neelasandra, Cooke Town, and Balagere Main Road, which houses several prominent schools. Parents and local residents reported daily commuting challenges exacerbated by rain and traffic congestion.

In places like Mysuru Road and Richmond Road, ongoing or incomplete civic works have worsened the situation, with debris, diversions, and increased travel time adding to daily stress.

D. Shashi Kumar, General Secretary of the Associated Management of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka, noted that the poor road conditions are affecting school transport citywide, forcing school buses to start earlier and endure longer routes.

Residents are urging civic authorities to prioritize student safety and complete pending works without delay.

Read also: