Progress in the wrong direction

Developmental work in the city creates new problems

On the one hand, the CMC is working to repair roads and drains, but on the other, it is not ensuring completion of the work started or even closure of the pits dug for this work for months. In some cases, since the pits are closed in a haphazard fashion, using the roads causes great trouble for the people, especially in heavily populated areas of the city. The contractors who worked on the roads would already have moved elsewhere, being practically untraceable.

The Old Syndicate Bank Road, which is adjacent to M G Road in Kolar, bears proof for such substandard work by the authorities.

Before and after

The roadside was dug for underground drainage work, but the pits remained open for more than a month, preventing movement of vehicles or even pedestrians to a large extent. The people had to submit several request letters before the pits on the sides of the Road were closed and the drainage work completed some days ago.

This, however, did not alleviate the problems of the people using the Old Syndicate Bank Road. The open drains are now replaced by long mounds of mud, making movement as difficult as before. The only kind of vehicles that can traverse the Road is two-wheelers, not even autorickshaws. Senior citizens and children have to necessarily stay away from the Road.

The contractors employed for the underground drainage work have not taken care to follow the fundamental rule of ensuring that roads become convenient for use. The authorities in charge of ascertaining the quality and result of the work have turned a blind eye to all that has been happening, opines a shop-owner on Old Syndicate Bank Road.

Without permission

Meanwhile, even as people responsible for the development work in the city display a lack of commitment, roads in some parts the city are being dug to lay underground cables for private telephone companies.

The CMC, however, has been denying permission for such work thus far. Members of the Council have raised the matter several times during meetings that companies have failed to pay the required fees.

Yet, work on laying the telephone cables continues, as shown by an incident on Saturday.

A team led by CMC vice-president S R Murali Gowda discovered that the contractors laying cables by the road outside the Ellen Thoburn Cowen Memorial Hospital did not receive permission from the Council.

Everyday issue

Residents of Kolar city have almost accepted pits and dug-up roads as part of their lives. Almost every road where some developmental work is on is sure to have several potholes or open pits. Several such roads lack street lights, making it difficult and sometimes even dangerous for pedestrians and vehicles to travel. People also fear that such roads will become popular haunts of thieves and robbers during nighttime.

Recently appointed Deputy Commissioner Manoj Kumar Meena is expected to seriously consider the issue of city roads in poor condition as well as poor quality of work going on in the city.