The delay in the completion of two storm-water drain projects is causing much hardship to Bangaloreans. The projects - one at Sree Circle on St John’s Road and the other at Jasma Bhavan Road-Miller’s Tank Bund Road junction - seem to be moving at a snail’s pace.

A couple of months ago, it would have taken less than ten minutes to reach M G Road from St John’s Road (via Commercial Street). Due to the ongoing storm-water drain remodelling in Challaghatta Valley, it takes double the time now. This is because vehicles must go past the Ulsoor lake to reach M G Road or opt for a longer route - going via Shivaji Nagar and Infantry Road to M G Road.

The widening of the 13-metre bridge to 19.5 metres to facilitate smoother traffic flow is definitely required to handle increasing traffic. “It easily takes between 20 and 25 minutes to get to the M G Road now.” says Praveen, area sales manager, Barclays Bank.

That BMTC buses do not stop at the regular Naga theatre stop due to the work is the grouse of M Govinda Raj, a security staff who lives in the nearby Armstrong Road. “It is difficult to go up to Sivan Chetty Garden to board buses,” he says.

The one-way on St John’s Road has severely affected businesses along half the stretch near the RBANMS Grounds. “My business is down by 70 per cent,” laments Mansoor, a stationery shop owner. Jose, a cashier at the nearby Hotel Kissan, says: “The widening of the bridge is welcome, all the more since two software companies are coming up. But the delay is not appreciated.”

M B Burji, chief engineer, storm water drains, BBMP, assures the work will be completed by February-end. “Electric and BSNL cables had to be removed. Soling and bed concrete work has been completed. A reinforced-cement concrete wall running into 40 metres is yet to be constructed.”

Holding up traffic

The other drain project at Sree Circle, right in front of Guru Nanak auditorium, has been holding up traffic in the mornings and evenings. Vehicles coming from Jasma Bhavan Road as well as both sides of Miller’s Tank Bund Road get stuck at this spot.

“There used to be two cops to regulate traffic earlier but none around for over a month now,” says says Rajendran, an employee of Continental Exporters.

Chandrashekhar, a driver at the nearby Vivus Health Centre, says: “When there is a traffic jam on Cunningham Road or Miller’s Road, people take this as a short-cut and reach here. This blocks the traffic up to the Congress office on Queen’s Road.”

Prakash, an electrician at Guru Nanak auditorium, alleges, “Ever since the government collapsed, work has come to a standstill.”

Burji says,“A part of the work is yet to be completed and it will be ready soon. The previous contractor completed one stretch and left it midway; so, the work was halted for nearly two months.”

HIGHLIGHTS

‘Emergent works’ project at J M Road

*Date of commencement: October 26, 2007
*Scheduled completion date: January-end
*Expected to be completed: February-end

Remodelling of storm-water drain at Challaghatta
valley (JNNURM scheme)

*Date of commencement: December 7, 2007
*Schedule completion date: January-end
*Expected to be completed: February-end