Will the roads in BEML ever be pothole-free?

BANGALORE: Residents of Malleshpalya, Kaggadasapura and Vignananagar, who want to go to Jagadeesh Nagar and its surrounding areas, are facing a lot of problems due to traffic jams at GM Palya during peak hours.The people of these areas have to cope with traffic jams or think twice before deciding to use the road between Malleshpalya bus stand and Jagadeesh Nagar. The reason — the number of potholes that are capable of sending a commuter to the orthopedist.Almost all the roads in the surrounding areas were either developed or asphalted or even widened for the convenience of motorists.However, the condition of this road remains the same.‘‘We have complained to the authorities concerned but in vain. They promised to asphalt it but, they are yet to honour their commitment,’’ said a resident of BEML quarters on the condition of anonymity.When contacted, M Krishnappa, the local corporator of CV Raman Nagar, said that Malleshpalya comes under CV Raman Nagar ward but not the roads that are full of potholes. ‘‘It has become a difficulty for people to use this road now.Recently, I visited the spot. It needs to be asphalt urgently.However, the particular road will not come under CV Raman Nagar ward. I am ready to convince the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike authorities to asphalt this road for the convenience of the people of Malleshpalya and other areas who use this road to reach Jagadeesh Nagar and other nearby localities,’’ said Krishnappa.S Raghu, MLA, CV Raman Nagar Assembly constituency, has also said that he was waiting for more than two years while expecting the BMEL authorities to asphalt the road but, in vain.‘‘We are ready to asphalt it if the BEML authorities allow us to take up the work. We need their permission since the road is in their premises.I hope the BEML authorities make the decision on this as early as possible,’’ said Raghu.Meanwhile, B A Sridhar, Chief of Public Relations, BEML, has said that no one has approached the BEML for permission to asphalt the road. ‘‘We have prepared a plan costing approximately `25 lakh to strengthen the road. We will asphalt it within a few days,’’ said Sridhar.Sadly, many people from Malleshpalya are skeptical about BEML authorities asphalting the road that remained unattended for more than two years. ‘‘We are not ready to believe the BEML authorities’ assurance.They have neglected the potholes on the road for more than two years. We would like to see what they do,’’ said Hemanth Kumar, a resident of Maruthinagar.