BBMP bumps into more humps

Taking serious note of the ‘back-breaking’, illegal and unregulated speed-breakers, the BBMP has decided to flatten 33 such obstacles on key arterial roads in the City. The decision was based on directions by the Lokayukta that recently submitted a report to the State Government over the issue. The Palike will soon begin work on 170 other road bumps, required to be regularised according to specifications set by the Indian Road Congress (IRC). “Due to the forthcoming by-elections, these projects are yet to be commissioned to contractors,” Chief Engineer (Major Roads) Chikrayappa told Deccan Herald. The BBMP intends to call for tenders once the by-elections are over. While most of the bumps, categorised as ‘not required’, are near signalled intersections, the traffic police have identified certain illegal humps to be flattened even on roads that were classified as ‘arterial.’

BBMP chief Bharath Lal Meena said his officials have been directed to complete the work at the earliest. “We have taken the decision to re-lay the road humps based on cognisance from the traffic police and according to IRC rules.” .

The height of all the humps will now be fixed at 15 cm according to rules cited by the Palike. But as per IRC rules, the speed-breakers need to be only 10-12 cm in height and should be laid only on ‘minor roads’.

IRC member M N Sreehari believes that at least 95 per cent humps in the City are illegal. “Despite these specifications, it is strange that the authorities are still persisting with road humps on arterial roads,” he said.

In his report, Lokayukta Santhosh Hegde had cited 1,000 illegal humps within the City limits.  Last week, the City police submitted a count of speed-breakers outlining the number of unscientific and illegal humps in various locations to the Palike. However, the count seems to have dwindled as it reached the Palike.

DH News Service