Work near Doddanekundi flyover delayed

Despite relentless efforts and intervention by citizens, work on a flyover at Doddanekundi is getting delayed endlessly. Although the flyover is open for public use, the ongoing work under the structure has turned into a nightmare for commuters.

In the aftermath of Friday's rain, the road below the flyover has turned pathetic, leaving vehicles stranded for hours.

Bengaluru Development Minister G Parameshwara, who inspected the flyover construction work two months ago, had promised that work at the flyover, including drainage and construction of footpaths on both sides, would be over by September 15. Work on the drains is still dragging on.

Residents of Doddanekkundi complained of poor coordination between the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) in carrying out the flyover work.

"The BDA started the work three years ago. And September 15 was the latest commitment given by the BDA commissioner to the citizens, but it is yet to be completed. The ground-level BDA engineers are incompetent and have kept the contractors' payments pending. Residents have lost hope on the BDA and only wish they complete this project at the earliest," said Clement Jayakumar, a resident of Doddanekundi.

Another resident added: "Since the road is completely water-logged due to the ongoing drainage and footpath work, we are not able to use it. We are using an alternative road, which is adjacent to the main road for now."

"We cannot start work unless the BWSSB completes its work. The civic body is currently shifting 200-300 mm diameter water and sewerage pipelines there. They might take another five days to complete it. We will kick-start our work soon after that and finish the entire work in a month," said Ramesh T H, assistant executive engineer, BDA.