A hole issue poses danger

BANGALORE: A sewage pit right next to the Shani Mahatma Temple on the busy Vatal Nagraj Road doesn't save the commuters and pedestrians even from God's grace. A glance at the open pit in the corner wouldn't really bother you much, until one can see water overflowing from it onto the road.The footpath is also uneven with broken slabs. Not only commuters, but hundreds of pedestrians use this road (leading to Majestic) near the Railway Bridge as there is a temple besides which is thronged by devotees on a regular basis.The crowd gets worse during Saturdays, festivals and special occasions.Vanaja, a visitor to the temple told us, "Even when the water is not overflowing, one might fall into the pit and get injured badly, if not die. Look at the apathy of the authorities, they won't take action unless any accident takes place."According to the traffic police who man this road, the situation gets worse during the monsoons, before which this needs to be fixed. They don't know whom to complain, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) or the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB).Police sub-inspector Srinivasa who is in charge of the traffic on this road said, "The road is hardly 30 feet and this pit poses danger to the commuters passing by. There are chances of two-wheelers skidding too because of the water overflowing from this pit onto the road. The water must be overflowing because of some block in the sewage line."To make matters worse, there are no streetlights on this stretch either which makes chances of falling into the pit even higher. BBMP Chief Engineer (West Zone) M Rangaraj said, "This issue comes under the purview of the BWSSB as the water overflowing is sewage water."When we contacted the Assistant Executive Engineer (Central Sub Division) Narasaiah, he visited the spot and said, "We haven't received any complaints regarding this pit or water overflowing from this. But, since you have bought it my notice, I will look into the matter and do the needful." Subash Nagar corporator Mallesh was unavailable for comments.