BBMP constructs skywalk, on paper

 The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahangara Palike appears to be in the dark on its infrastructure.

The civic agency, in its reply to a request by a private school for constructing a speed breaker near Ashoka Pillar in Jayanagar, has said that a skywalk already exists at the location. Surprisingly, there is none on this stretch.

The principal of Parikrama School, an institute for underprivileged children, run by an  NGO, had written to the Palike requesting to construct a speed breaker near the school for preventing accidents. Following appeals from local people, Bengaluru district in-charge minister Ramalinga Reddy too has written to the authorities concerned for a speed breaker near the school.

However, a letter dated November 12, 2014, signed by the Executive Engineer (Infrastructure), Traffic Engineering Cell, and addressed to the school, says that a skywalk has already been constructed at the location.

“ We would like to inform you that a skywalk has been constructed at fourth cross junction considering the safety of the pedestrians by this department,” the letter says. It also refers to the letters written by the school and the minister.

There were several accidents at this junction and the victims have been mostly children from Parikrama school. In April this year, a speeding car knocked down a school girl. Another girl coming out of the school sustained serious injuries two months ago after a vehicle rammed her.

“Many times, the students coming out of the school are the victims. The customers coming to an eatery opposite this school have taken them to hospitals,” said Vijay Kumar Pattadkal, a businessman here.

“The proposal to construct speed breaker is ready, and work will be taken up once the approval of police is obtained,”the letter says.  The residents now have filed a PIL seeking directions to construct a speed breaker. The petitioners have said that there were no sign boards or zebra crossing near the school.