Bus carrying children tilts on Balagere-Panathur road in Bengaluru due to potholes, water-logging; no injuries reported

Bengaluru: This is not the first time that the residents of Balagere-Panathur road have raised complaints of bad roads, water-logging and crater-like potholes that are virtual death traps with the authorities. But Friday morning was another grim reminder of the indifference of authorities when a school bus with about 20 children of New Horizon Gurukul school, toppled on the Balagere-Panathur road, thanks to enormous potholes and waterlogging.

The incident took place in the morning near Ekya Nava campus, an international school. The 3-km stretch has remained problematic for a few years, according to the residents, but repeated complaints seem to have gone in vain.

Harish Kumar, resident and eye-witness, told DH, “There is another school right where the incident happened and many bus schools take this road. Hundreds of lives of students are at risk every day.”

Maheshwar Rao, Commissioner of Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) had also visited the spot a few weeks ago, but no improvements were carried out.

The school authorities confirmed that the students and the driver were safe and no injuries were reported.

Shwetha Rangaswamy, a member of Individual Taxpayers Forum (ITPF) and civic activist said, “There is no concrete drain and when it rains the water is stagnant. There isn't a marker to differentiate the road and drain. So the driver thought the water was stagnant on the road and veered the vehicle towards the left and that's when it toppled.” Priya Sharma, another resident said, “We have raised numerous complaints to the authorities and on the new app 'Raste Gundi Gamana', but no action has been taken.

As the video went viral on social media, authorities from Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) reached the spot by 4 pm. “The authorities have placed the barricades where the potholes are severe, but that doesn't really serve the purpose,” said Shwetha.