A mere 10 mm of rain can unleash maximum chaos for commuters in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: The weekend's sudden downpour left major roads across the city flooded, according to Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) officials.

The BTP identified key waterlogging points, including ORR between Nagawara Junction and Hebbal, Hebbal Circle below the flyover, Airport Road to Hunsmaranahalli, International Airport Road to Vidyashilp Junction, ORR at the Marathahalli police station, Karthik Nagar, Kasturi Nagar bridge, Palace Guttahalli on Ballari Road, Agara Road at HSR, Ruby-1 and Ruby-2 on Bannerghatta Road, and Queen’s Circle.

"Just 10mm of rain can throw the city's roads out of gear. There is a 5 to 6 km traffic jam along these stretches every time it rains," said a BTP official. "The Panathur railway underpass is a critical bottleneck, and we've flagged the issue multiple times. When it rains, that stretch becomes a nightmare."

Adding to the chaos

A reality check by DH found dug-up roads, broken footpaths, and potholes worsening commuter woes, turning post-rain travel into a nightmare.

In Mahalakshmi Layout, ongoing BBMP and BMRCL roadwork has made traffic worse. “The entire road is dug up, and vehicles cannot pass,” said Chandan, a resident.

In RT Nagar, especially on Rabindranath Tagore Nagar Main Road, missing footpath slabs make walking unsafe. “It is hard and scary,” said a street vendor. Residents lament that there is neither a proper footpath nor a usable road.

On JC Road, continuous digging has left large potholes. "Three projects are on simultaneously, leading to at least one accident a day,” said Nagraj from BS Power Company.

Stretches such as these in JC Road have turned into virtual death traps. DH PHOTO/Anupama Mani

"The drainage has been open for eight months. Rainwater floods shops, damages goods, and leaves a foul stench,” said Renu Jain of Balaji Power Engineers on Kumbargundi Road.

Citizens frustrated

After the latest rain, a resident of HSR Layout shared on social media that he tripped into a hole in the footpath, scraping his foot on a rusty rod. He had to get a tetanus shot.