The ongoing work at SP Road.
Credit: DH PHOTO/RANJU P
Bengaluru: The slow pace of work to fix sewage overflow and inadequate drainage systems in Chickpet, specifically on Sadar Patrappa (SP) Road, is affecting businesses and causing traffic jams, according to traders, local residents and motorists.
Located near KR Market in the heart of Bengaluru, SP Road is one of the largest markets for electronic goods in the country.
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has undertaken the work on the 350-metre stretch from Dasappa Hospital to Corporation Circle. The project involves installing a one-metre-wide pipeline on the stormwater drain (SWD) on both sides of the road and a 300-mm sanitary pipe, according to an official from the civic body.
In addition to upgrading the drainage system, provisions are being made for household water connections, power and optical fibre cable ducts. Once the groundwork is complete, the stretch will be white-topped (concretised).
"The older pipes couldn’t handle the load, leading to sewage leaks and overflows. This integrated approach will resolve multiple issues in one go," the official said, adding that the completion is expected by mid-February.
However, business owners expressed their frustration due to the prolonged work.
Sunil Punjabi, who owns an industrial supply business on SP Road, said: "The retail market is suffering. Our supply operations are also affected due to restricted access."
Shantilal, an electrical shop owner, noted a sharp drop in customer footfall. "We used to get 50-100 customers daily. Now, it’s barely 15 because the roads are closed. Cargo vans cannot access the area, and the usual year-end rush is missing."
Mohan, an auto driver, said: "The work doesn’t start properly every morning. Adjacent roads are also affected, making commuting difficult for everyone. If they worked overnight, the project could finish sooner."
While people are facing issues like these, the BBMP official said that if people cooperate for two more months, then there won’t be a need for intervention for the next 40 years. "We are doing multiple things together. Since it is a commercial area, we can’t take things up one by one. That will take a longer time," he explained.