Dhivya Kiran Jeevan.
Credit: Special Arrangement
Bengaluru: A city-based professor who sent a legal notice to the BBMP, seeking compensation of Rs 50 lakh for trauma caused by bad roads, is receiving support from residents across the city as he awaits a response from the civic body.
Dhivya Kiran Jeevan has particularly raised concerns about the roads in Richmond Town, Sevanagar, and Ramamurthy Nagar.
“I travel through these roads on a regular basis and, recently, on my way back from Ramamurthy Nagar to my home in Richmond Town, I counted 300 potholes,” said the former St Joseph’s professor.
His fear of the rains damaging the roads further pushed him to take the legal step. "Recently, I experienced shooting pain while traveling on the very same road. I decided I wouldn’t be able to handle this anymore. I’ve reached my saturation point,” he said. He hopes to get in touch with the BBMP chief to discuss the issue.
His aim is to get the BBMP to own accountability for the poor road infrastructure, which has become a norm in the city. "Bengaluru is no regular city. Despite being an IT hub, the condition of our roads is shameful. We at least deserve basic infrastructure,” he said.
The 43-year-old has been suffering from severe neck and back pain for the last four years, he told DH. “I have visited several orthopaedic hospitals in Bengaluru, and everyone has attributed this pain to my frequent commute on bad roads, especially on two-wheelers and autos,” he said.
As per the legal notice served via his advocate KV Laveen, Kiran has made four emergency visits to St Philomena’s Hospital, “undergoing injections and procedures to relieve acute agony”.
“Apart from the physical stress, there’s also mental agony. Being in pain constantly takes a toll on your mental health. I know the pain I went through, and I’m aware that there are many people like me out there. Many have reached out to me on social media,” he said.
Lawyer’s views
The BBMP, as a corporate body, can be sued in accordance with Chapter III, Section 4(6) of the BBMP Act, 2020, shares Advocate Indra Dhanush.
"Legal notice can be served and be considered as the first course of action against the civic body, if they fail to comply. The BBMP would act swiftly to resolve the issue; however, I doubt the claimed compensation to be honoured,” he said.