OFCs, another foe of City roads

Theoptical fibre cables (OFCs) have emerged as a new foe for the City roads which are already battered by potholes, illegal speed breakers and unscientific sewerage chambers.

According to the BBMP sources, in the last one year many roads have been dug to lay cables but have not been restored properly. As a result, roads have either caved in or new potholes had surfaced on them. Sources blamed telecom firms for maiming the City roads. Till September 2012, 16.3 km of roads had been dug up in different parts of the City but only 5.3 km was restored. The remaining roads were restored by the Palike at the expense of taxpayers' money.

The City had about 37,000 potholes in September last, of which 31,000 potholes were filled. The remaining 6,000 have not been filled, sources said. A Palike engineer dealing with the road division alleged that the telecom firms never informed Palike before laying the OFCs. Similarly, the Bescom and BWSSB too carried out works but without informing the Palike.

A glaring example of the battered road is the Kasturba Road near the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The road today is the victim of the OFCs and the BWSSB sewerage.

The road, which has big potholes besides unevenly placed OFC chamber lids, tests the driving skills of the motorists. Though restoration was carried out but to no avail. Badly laid OFC chamber lids can also be found on the Cunningham Road and Infantry Road to name a few.

“You can find many OFCs or the BWSSB chambers built right in the middle of the road in an unscientific way inviting accidents,” a BBMP engineer said. When contacted Palike Commissioner Siddaiah said “those damaging the City roads will not be spared as they will be made to bear the expenses of road restoration.”

“If the roads are dug up illegally then the parties involved or the firms will bear the expense and will also be fined,” said Siddaiah.