JOIN USMayor N Shanthakumari on Monday got the first-hand experience of the poorly maintained pedestrian subways in Bengaluru. The stench emanating from subways and lack of other facilities left the first citizen fuming.
She took the engineers concerned from the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to task for not keeping the subways in good condition. On noticing the filth, defunct lights and lack of security at the subway in Rajajinagar near Sujatha Theatre, the mayor gave a an earful to the Superintendent Engineer from west zone, Vishwanath.
“People hesitate to use the subway as there are no facilities here. If cleanliness is maintained, they would not mind using the subways,” she told the engineer and directed him to improve the infrastructure without any delay. A dilapidated public toilet outside the subway near Bengaluru City railway station also angered the mayor. The weak building could collapse any time and hence should be closed down at the earliest, she said.
“There is no proper water or drainage facility at the toilet and that’s why a foul smell. Even the subway is not properly maintained. The dirty water which has gushed into the drains should be pumped out. The problem should be solved within a week,” Shanthakumari instructed.
She later visited subways near the SJP College on Seshadri Road and KR Circle. She expressed concerned over the water that had accumulated at the KR Circle subway. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board’s (BWSSB) CAMBI vehicle and generator were brought to the spot to drain the water out of the subway during the inspection.
Later, the mayor held a meeting with the engineers concerned. She tasked the zonal chief engineers with keeping the subways clean.