BBMP shows civic work done but no proof on the ground

The online list published by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) of civic works it has carried out till date has some glaring errors.

In order to bring in transparency, the civic agency had recently made a zone-wise list of various developmental works completed across Bengaluru and posted it online. But some works mentioned have not been executed at all, Deccan Herald has learnt.

For example, the BBMP mentions asphalting the main roads in HBR Layout at a total cost of Rs 5.1 lakh in May 2014. Residents of HBR Layout are, however, certain that no concrete works have been taken up and that the Palike asphalted just some minor roads.

Ayub Khan, a shopkeeper in HBR Layout, 5th Block, said: “I have been here for eight years now and I am certain no asphalting has been undertaken since. The 1st main road in this block is a motorist’s nightmare as it has numerous potholes. Other main roads and small lanes in the layout too are in a pathetic condition.”

Similarly, the BBMP has listed drain improvement works between Nagawara main road and Shampura main road having been undertaken in May 2014 at a cost of Rs 18.61 lakh and the construction of a bus shelter at Kalasipalya bus stand in ward number 47 at a cost of Rs 49 lakh in 2009. None of these works has been executed.

Chandrika N, a resident of Nagawara, said: “When it rains, the drainage chambers overflow and the craters on the roads get filled up. Had the drainage been improved, we wouldn’t have suffered.”

R V Gopi, president of Vegetable and Fruit Wholesale Merchants’ Association, has this to say about the bus shelter at the Kalasipalya bus stand: “There is just a temporary shelter. Palike officials told us there is a proposal to construct a bus shelter, but none has been built as yet.”

Then there are complaints by civic experts on how “unscientifically” the list has been prepared. Civic expert Ashwin Mahesh said that the works mentioned in the list were categorised zone-wise which was confusing and exhausting for citizens to find out as the list was huge. Besides, there is no proper mention of roads and locations at which the works have been executed. He suggested that the Palike publish a ward-wise list of works on the ward map.