Pipe-laying, white-topping congest BTS road

Commuters along the BTS road in Hombegowda Nagar must wait for at least three more months for a smooth ride.

Due to the ongoing pipe-laying by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), and the scheduled Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) work, motorists and pedestrians are having a difficult time.

While the BWSSB is laying new sanitary pipelines along the road, the BBMP is to begin the white-topping project next week.

The BWSSB’s work in progress has resulted in huge piles of mud dumped along the side of the road.

A shopkeeper in the area, who did not wish to be named said, “The number of customers visiting our shop has reduced, due to the huge mud-pile that is like a wall, blocking visibility.”

Raksha Uday, a regular commuter said, “The BWSSB has dug up deep trenches to lay pipelines. It is next to impossible for pedestrians to walk on the road. Only motorists and cars can move.”

According to D Chandrappa, area councillor of the Hombegowda Nagar ward, the work is expected to continue for at least three more months.

“The BWSSB is replacing the sanitary pipelines with new ones, as there was reverse flow of sewage during rains. This was leading to severe clogging. We are re-laying the new pipeline as a solution to the existing problem,” said Chandrappa.

He also said that the BWSSB work has to be completed before the BBMP can start the white-topping.

“Recently, we have filled potholes on the road. But the white-topping will take some time and we are hoping to complete the BWSSB work before that,” he said.

Recently, the BBMP received clearance from Bangalore Traffic Police to divert the traffic on the BTS road to alternative roads, so that the civic body can undertake the work. BBMP will white-top the stretch from KH road to Mico road, and the traffic will be diverted to the 12th cross road, Wilson Garden.