Never-ending RoB works causes major inconvenience

Clogging of sewage water raises a stink in Freedom Fighter’s Park

Several months on, works on the Rs 10 crore Road over Bridge (RoB), near Shantala Theatre, is still going on at a snail’s pace. It  has not only become an inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians, but it is converting the Freedom Fighter’s Park into a ‘sewage water park’.

The Mysore City Corporation (MCC), took up works on the 50-year-old dilapidated bridge situated close to Chamaraja Double Road, three months ago, following several media reports on its bad condition. The bridge is situated in the heart of the city, and connects to D D Devaraj Urs road.

While works are incomplete, huge heaps of mud removed from the site has been dumped in front of Shantala Theatre and nearby empty areas. Sewage water which passes under the bridge was blocked to ease construction. Subsequently, the water was being pumped to another end. Whenever works halted, sewage water overflowed to the Freedom Fighter’s Park in Subbayanakere and covered the basket ball court.

The water clogging caused inconvenience to morning walkers, senior citizens, students and sports persons who used the court for regular practice. 

Hundreds of vehicles pass on the bridge everyday. After the work commenced, vehicles were diverted to the narrow road, close to the bridge. The motorists who take this road often have a bitter experience. “As we enter the road what greets us is over flowing garbage bins coupled with foul smell. Sometimes the waste is strewn on the road too,” complains Shreehari, a mechanic. 

The road also leads to Marimallppa and Sadvidya Education Institutions. He added that several school and college goers, especially girls have embarrassing moment. Many men are often seen urinating at the open drainage and besides road, he said. 

When contacted, MCC’s Zone-6 Commissioner Veena said, it would take another three months to complete the RoB work. However, she denied to comment on the reasons for the delay in work.