Fund crunch 'barrier' for ensuring safety of lives here

Metal crash barrier was erected on either side of the tank at an estimated cost of Rs 28 lakh. However, the energy seemed to have waned later, with  two lakes on the same road continuing to pose danger to lives.

Thanks to the union ministry of road transport and highways (MORTH), New Delhi which turned down the proposals for putting up barriers at  the lakes, citing lack of funds.

Sources told Deccan Herald soon after the Undabatti incident, which indeed cracked a whip on the authorities, a proposal was sent seeking funds to install barriers for three lakes- Dalwoy and Shetty on Mysore- Nanjangud road (National highway 212) and Varuna on Mysore- T Narsipur road, and Undabatti Tank.

However, it was turned down owing to shortage of funds. But, the work on barriers at Undabatti Tank was taken up from the office of chief engineer, NH, Bangalore spending Rs 28 lakh.  

That apart, a channel was constructed on the opposite side of the Undabatti tank to facilitate the flow of water as and when the tank brims. This has come in handy, with water level at the tank remaining low most of the times.

New proposal

Recently, in the month of September, an estimate has been forwarded again to the union ministry of road transport and highways seeking Rs 65 lakh for installing crash barrier at Dalwoy and Shetty lakes. Varuna lake doesn’t find a mention this time, giving due preference to the other two lakes.

The irony here is, when compared to Rs 80 lakh sought for two lakes earlier, the authorities have quoted Rs 15 lakh less (Rs 65 lakh) this time ostensibly due to fund crunch.

The only barrier at the lakes at present is- stone pillars installed at a gap of two metres, which in no way could prevent any vehicle from ploughing into water.
When taken into count the length of lake bund road, Dalwoy tops at 800 metres, followed by Setty- 550 to 600  metres and Undabatti Tank- 550 metres.

Dangerous

Though Dalwoy lake is in news often for wrong reasons with vehicles falling into water, according to the authorities, Setty lake is more prone to danger.

The reason being Setty lake is devoid of -road shoulders (the muddy area with grass mostly found on either side of the road) for the vehicles  to park or move on in case the situation warrants, while Dalwoy lake has enough ‘shoulder’ with two metre space to bank on for the vehicles.

A minute mistake, vehicles will directly land in water at Shetty lake.
When contacted an officer on condition of anonymity said- the proposal has been forwarded again to MORTH and exuded confidence that it will be through at least this year.

It is high time the authorities stop dithering, but act swiftly, with the particular highway recording increasing vehicular density with every passing day, the authorities assert.

Facts

* Natl highway authorities recent proposal for installing metal crash barrier at Dalwoy, Shetty lakes awaits nod
* The project is estimated to cost Rs 65 lakh
* The proposal first forwarded covering Varuna, Dalwoy and Shetty lakes, after Undabatti Tank mishap had been rejected due to shortage of funds
* Shetty lake more dangerous when compared to Dalwoy, according to highway authorities