Bengaluru’s flyovers are turning into unintended green spaces, with plants, including creeping vines and peepul trees, sprouting from cracks and crevices. Some plants have grown up to 4-5 feet, compromising the safety and structural integrity of the flyovers. Ranganath Devappa, a structural expert and vice-president of the Karnataka Professional Civil Engineers Act-Steering Consortium, warns that such growth can lead to severe damage, including potential collapse.
A reality check by TOI identified intense plant growth on key flyovers like Richmond Circle, Sirsi Circle, Mysuru Road, and Wheeler Road. Residents have raised complaints about this issue, but the response from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has been slow. “Despite multiple complaints, there has been no action,” said Shiva Kumar B from the Domlur Layout Welfare Association. BBMP chief commissioner Tushar Giri Nath acknowledged the lack of annual maintenance but has yet to implement corrective measures.
Experts emphasize that unchecked plant growth can lead to corrosion of steel reinforcements within the concrete, weakening the flyovers. Regular cleaning, sealing of cracks, and preventive measures are essential to avoid structural damage.
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