Potholes are back: Take care, Bengaluru!

  • | Wednesday | 19th September, 2018

More than physical injuries, riders also go through mental trauma after an accident. According to the BBMP survey done in August 2018, more than 3,000 potholes were found in Bengaluru South and Bengaluru East. BM had done a survey of potholes on August 31, 2017 and found athat was 9-inches deep, in Nehrunagar, Seshadripuram. This time, on Rudrappa Garden road, one pothole was two-and-a-half inch deep while another was two inches deep. On Campbell Road, we found a two-inch pothole.Commuters fear that the potholes will be a threat to their life.

potholes Bengaluru rain Bangalore pothole Columbia Asia By Amit KumarGovt seems to be keen on elevated corridors, but nobody is worried about ground realityThe killerofare back. Like mushrooms springing after a heavy shower, potholes have appeared in various parts of the city.In October 2017, Bengalureans were shocked by two fatal accidents that left three people dead after they were run over by buses while trying to avoid potholes. Following the heavy spells ofthat the city has received over the last few days, Bengaluru’s roads are unravelling and caving in, again.Most roads have developed deep cracks. New potholes appearing randomly overnight are catching commuters by surprise and bringing traffic to a screeching halt — potholes have turned death traps for Bengaluru’s commuters.So on Tuesday,Mirror went around the city to find out first, the condition of roads after the rains. And once again, we found a worrying picture.Potholes in Bengaluru are not new. BM had done a survey of potholes on August 31, 2017 and found athat was 9-inches deep, in Nehrunagar, Seshadripuram. This time, on Rudrappa Garden road, one pothole was two-and-a-half inch deep while another was two inches deep. BM measured a pothole that was seven-and-a-half inch deep in Austin Town. On Campbell Road, we found a two-inch pothole.Commuters fear that the potholes will be a threat to their life. “I think everyone who commutes has experienced the inconvenience of potholes. Not only do they make your ride bumpy, but potholes at night can be very risky,” says Venkat Kumar, who commutes daily from Austin Town to Sarjapur Road.Commuters also complain that potholes that are not attended to in the beginning turn into craters very soon. Sriram Raghavan, a resident of Kadugodi says, “The rains filled large parts of the roads here with water. If riding though pools of water is not bad enough, the crater-like potholes on the road makes the ride treacherous.”Potholes have also resulted in many accidents. Many bike riders say they have suffered several injuries by falling from their vehicles, while driving through pothole-punctured streets.Dr Ravindra P, a senior consultant in the orthopaedic department atHospital, Whitefield, said, “The chances of getting injured after falling from the vehicle are very high, especially for pillion riders. Light vehicles cause minor injuries whereas heavy vehicles cause severe damage. The speed at which one is riding also matters. In most cases, riders suffer severe head injuries after falling down from the bike. Apart from muscular injuries, spine and tailbone injuries are most common. More than physical injuries, riders also go through mental trauma after an accident. It can create long-term anxiety among vehicle riders. Commuters feel less confident on the road after an accident.”It’s not just human beings who are impacted by riding over potholes. Vehicles are ruined too and the cost of that has to be borne by the owners. Automobile expert, Rohit said, “Vehicles bear the bigger brunt when driving over a pothole, compared to the rider or driver.Especially two-wheelers, which can get damaged easily. The wheel and fork can get bent and there is damage to the wheels, clutch and brake too. If one is driving fast, the engine can be damaged when one comes upon a pothole suddenly.”Although Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister Dr G Parameshwar claimed recently that more than 90 per cent of the potholes in the city have been filled and gave an assurance that the remaining potholes in the city would be filled up too, commuters seem doubtful of any timely interventions from the Minister or the BBMP. According to the BBMP survey done in August 2018, more than 3,000 potholes were found in Bengaluru South and Bengaluru East.

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