One year on, road work remains incomplete due to official apathy

It’s more than one and a half year, the residents of Manchegowdana Koppal, near Vijayanagara Water Tank, vendors of the area and motorists face hardship due to air pollution as a result of incomplete road works.

The road that was dug up for laying of water pipeline from Ring Road via Abhishek Circle, remain neglected. The residents and the motorists are facing the brunt of rising air pollution and many have developed health issues.

The residents are forced to cover their face with masks not because of Covid-19, but due to dust. The aged citizens and the children of the area complain about health issues such as asthma.

The authorities dug-up the roads to lay a pipeline between Manchegowdana Koppal and Ring Road, via Abhishek Circle, nearly one and a half year back. But, a portion of the road is yet to be fixed.

The stretch connects Hebbal Industrial Area and thousands of people depend on it reach their workplace. A majority of them use two-wheelers. Even street food vendors face a problem due to the bad road and dust.

Srinivasa, a street food vendor, said, "The condition of the street is a mirror to the irresponsibility of the officials and people's representatives. We have to cover our face throughout the day. Many vendors suffer from health issues. It has become difficult to serve clean and good food.”

Corporator Prema Shankaregowda said, "The Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) had sanctioned Rs 5 crore to asphalt the road from Kalidasa Road to Ring Road, but the works are pending. The work on laying of pipeline is completed. Asphalting near Abhishek Circle was also completed two months back. The works near the water tank was supposed to be completed by now."

An officer said, "The works were delayed due to Covid-19 and technical issues. The works will be completed soon.”