Brace for traffic mess after model code ends

Driving on the city’s roads could be a nightmare in the coming months once the election model code of conduct expires. For, the civic agencies, which have halted projects owing to the model code, are set to launch them once the curbs are lifted.

What’s worse, the work will coincide with pre-monsoon and monsoon showers, adding to the misery.

The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd (Bescom) and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will take up works in most parts of the city from May.

Bescom had invited tenders in February for laying underground cables in 53 sub-divisions worth Rs 4,800 crore. But it has decided to start work worth Rs 1,900 crore after the model code is lifted in 19 sub-divisions.

Similarly, BBMP will undertake ward works on the city’s outskirts along with its ongoing Tendersure and white-topping works. It had planned to start work in March.

“Though government approvals have been obtained, we cannot start new work because of the code of conduct. We will start work from May 27 after the elections. To ensure people are not inconvenienced, work will be taken up in two phases. In the first phase, we will undertake work in HSR Layout, Indiranagar, Benniganahalli, Peenya, Mahalakshmi Layout, Malleswaram, Sadashivanagar, Vijayanagar and other places,” a Bescom official told DH.

The BBMP official said: “While white-topping and TenderSure works will continue after the elections, new ward works will be taken up in other places like Malleswaram, Peenya, Shivajinagar, Chamarajpet, Lingarajapuram, Yelahanka and Hebbal. Apart from this, the ongoing flyover and underpass work like at Okalipuram and Sivananda Circle will also be speeded up. We also plan to take up skywalk construction work after the code of conduct ends.”

Asked about the damage, the BBMP official said: “It was done for elections and to help candidates during canvassing. It is a routine exercise. People will have to bear with the work during monsoon.”