Bengaluru: Chief Commissioner of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Tushar Girinath, has warned the officials of strict action, such as suspension, if the City’s potholes are not fixed by November 15. The Commissioner’s warning follows the Karnataka High Court’s disapproval of the BBMP’s inaction to fix potholes.
Speaking to mediapersons, Girinath said that the officials will receive two notices. First, if a pothole is found to be uncovered, a warning will be given and the second time, disciplinary measures, including suspension will be taken, he said.
The Commissioner stated that a few notices have already been sent to Assistant Engineers, Assistant Executive Engineers, Executive Engineers, and Chief Engineers in this regard and voiced the hope that the potholes will be filled before the deadline.
Vijayan Menon and others filed a public interest petition (PIL) on Thursday seeking the High Court’s division bench to urge the government and the BBMP to fix the city’s potholes. The division bench was headed over by Chief Justice P. B. Varale. The petitioner’s advocate claimed that more people are dying in the BBMP’s jurisdiction as a result of potholes. The Palike has not used any technology to cover the hole, he informed the bench.
The bench responded by stating that the BBMP had totally failed in the process to fill potholes. The BBMP was also directed by the court to submit a report on the measures it took in this regard. November 2 has been set as the new date for the hearing.