JOIN USThe High Court on Monday observed that driving around Mekhri Circle during peak hours is a nightmare for commuters and there was a need for widening the Palace Road.
While hearing a petition seeking direction to hold BBMP contractors accountable for the roads that they asphalt and pothole filling, a division bench comprising acting Chief Justice S K Mukherjee and Justice Ravi Malimath questioned BBMP on the potholes. The BBMP counsel submitted that there nearly 3,150 potholes have been filled till date by BBMP.
During the hearing, the court observed that Karnataka as a State is rated high, but there is also news of death due to potholes. The local body should ensure that roads are in good condition. The BBMP counsel said that the Palace Road widening project is stalled due to the pending litigation before the Supreme Court. Land has to be acquired to take up the road-widening project, the counsel submitted.
The bench observed that the Supreme Court has passed an interim order lifting the embargo on such projects, whatever necessary compensation of the transfer developing rights (TDR) must be worked out and road construction must be carried out. Regarding potholes, the bench directed BBMP to repair the roads and keep them in good condition.
The bench directed the State government counsel to get instructions with regard to the steps taken to widen the Palace Road and adjourned the hearing for a month.