Bengaluru: Tired of navigating dangerous, potholed roads on their way to school, a group of children from Carmelaram and Chikkabellandur has appealed directly to deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar. Through letters and hand-drawn posters, the students highlighted their struggles and urged authorities to urgently repair critical stretches in the area.

Students raise alarm over daily commute risks

The children pointed out several problem roads, including Gear School Road, Varthur Main Road, Carmelaram Railway Station Road, and the incomplete 100ft Road. They also drew attention to the long-stalled Carmelaram railway overbridge project, which has worsened congestion and gridlock for daily commuters.

According to residents, the villages were merged with the BBMP in 2008, but key infrastructure like safe and well-maintained roads continues to remain absent. Waterlogging, cratered surfaces, and poor maintenance have made travel not only difficult but dangerous.

The children said their initiative was sparked after witnessing buses bump violently over potholes, often throwing passengers off balance and even injuring some.

Long commute and stalled projects add to woes

Commuters report that the 5-km stretch from Outer Ring Road (ORR) to Carmelaram takes up to 1.5 hours to cross due to narrow lanes, traffic snarls, and poor road conditions. The incomplete railway overbridge at Carmelaram station adds to the chaos, stranding thousands of people daily.

Preethi Aswani, a 45-year-old tech professional, described the situation as a “daily ordeal”. “During rains, you can’t tell where the road ends and the lake begins—it’s completely waterlogged. My senior citizen parents struggle, and even auto drivers refuse to ply. We often end up spending ₹200–₹250 on cabs for very short distances. A college student even lost his life here. All authorities have done is put up humps and caution boards—there’s been no real solution,” she said.

Citizens demand comprehensive development

Citizen activist Jose Thazhathuveettil, from the group Carmelaram Unite, blamed unplanned growth and lack of proportional road development for the crisis. “The 5-km stretch from ORR to Carmelaram takes 1.5 hours. Despite being under BBMP since 2008, roads remain incomplete. Officials must prioritise completion of CDP (Comprehensive Development Plan) roads to ease congestion,” he said.

The children, meanwhile, say that travelling to school has become increasingly risky. They described how buses shake violently on uneven roads, forcing them to cling on to avoid injuries.

Children’s voices through postcards

In their postcards to the deputy chief minister, students narrated their experiences:

  • “The 100ft road near us has been incomplete for three years, causing many accidents. A few of us started sending postcards to the deputy CM asking for real, long-term solutions.” — Ezzah CT, Class 10
  • “Scooters fall here every day. Once our bus hit a pothole and my friend was badly hurt. It’s scary now. I just want officials to finally fix the CDP Road.” — Ojas Haswani, Class 3
  • “A long stretch of the road is still not hardened, it’s full of potholes. Our buses shake so much that students fall, and traffic delays us. I asked for proper repairs.” — Catherine Antony, Class 7
  • “This road is dusty, bumpy and full of potholes. Our bus moves slowly, and once I got hurt when it braked suddenly. Good roads would make travel safer and faster.” — Nirvi Gehlot, Class 3

Community hopes for swift action

The children’s efforts have drawn praise from local residents, who believe that their appeal may finally push the authorities into action. With traffic chaos worsening each year, citizens now hope that BBMP and the state government will prioritise road repairs and stalled projects before more lives are put at risk.