Key Facts
Residents along East Bengaluru’s IT corridor are grappling with severely damaged roads that become hazardous during rains. Key affected stretches include Medahalli Main Road, Thubarahalli Village Road, Manjunatha Layout Road, Silver Spring Layout Road, and the Munnekolala underpass junction. These roads connect major IT hubs and residential areas, causing daily misery for thousands.
Details of the Crisis
Syed Ansari, a resident of Medahalli, described the road as looking like a stream during heavy rain. “Vehicles slow down due to flooding, leading to traffic jams. We often help commuters who fall from bikes because of bad road conditions,” he said. The road has sunk on one side, while the other side lacks tar, exposing sand and gravel.
Thubarahalli Village Road, which runs for about two kilometers connecting Old Madras Road, Devarabeesanahalli, and Munnekollal, is a nightmare for riders. Parthasarathi M., a nearby resident, said the road has been in poor condition for a long time. “We complained to officials and politicians, even organized a protest, but nothing changed. Rains make it worse with overflowing drains,” he added.
Manjunatha Layout and Silver Spring Layout roads, lined with apartments, are equally bad. Sumana Choudhury, a resident, said, “It’s dangerous to step out during rains. I restrict my children from walking alone. School buses often get stuck in potholes.”
The Munnekolala underpass junction appears unrepaired for years. A traffic policeman working in the area, speaking anonymously, admitted that during rains many cars get stuck, causing jams. “When we help, people are angry and hurl abuses at us for the bad roads,” he said.
Impact on Daily Life
The poor road conditions lead to frequent accidents, traffic congestion, and health hazards from waterlogging. Commuters, especially two-wheeler riders, face high risk of falls and injuries. The situation also affects emergency services and school transportation.
What Residents Should Know
Residents have been demanding action for years but face bureaucratic hurdles. Uday Chougule, Executive Engineer of Mahadevapura, Bengaluru East Corporation, explained that Thubarahalli Village Road cannot be repaired because it lies over a stormwater drain (SWD) under another department. He said the corporation plans to build a box-type drain with slabs to facilitate traffic, but no timeline was given.
For Medahalli Main Road, unresolved compensation from land acquisition in 2008-09 is a sticking point. Ghori Saab, a resident whose land was taken, said, “They promised compensation but never paid. Every year officials inspect, we ask for compensation, and they never return.” Sachin Appugol, Assistant Engineer of Basavanapura Ward, confirmed that the compensation file is with the Transferrable Development Rights Services Department. Once cleared, the road can be laid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which roads in East Bengaluru are in bad condition?
Medahalli Main Road, Thubarahalli Village Road, Manjunatha Layout Road, Silver Spring Layout Road, and Munnekolala underpass junction are severely damaged.
Why are these roads not being repaired?
Legal and jurisdictional disputes, including unresolved compensation for land acquisition and confusion over which department is responsible for stormwater drains, have stalled repairs.
How are residents affected?
Residents face flooding, traffic jams, accidents, and difficulty commuting, especially during rains. School buses often get stuck in potholes.