Krishna Byre Gowda inspects road conditions with officials in east Bengaluru. Photograph supplied.
Bengaluru: Minister Krishna Byre Gowda told officials to clear debris and lay at least a gravel surface on available road space along the congested Dommasandra–Varthur route, saying immediate relief for commuters should not wait for the larger land-acquisition process.
“I ask you with folded hands: at least lay gravel and build the road on the space that is available,” he told Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL) officials during an inspection of roads and infrastructure works in east Bengaluru on Wednesday.
His remarks came when officials raised land acquisition while discussing traffic problems between Dommasandra Circle and Varthur. Byre Gowda directed them to address what could be done immediately on existing land while pursuing the statutory requirements and long-term plans for wider road development.
Land acquisition and immediate repairs to proceed together
The inspection covered Sarjapur Road, Dommasandra, Gunjur, Varthur, Balagere and surrounding areas. Officials briefed the minister on road works, drainage, traffic movement, land availability, power infrastructure and other development projects.
Byre Gowda questioned why land acquisition was being proposed for road work on the Varthur lake bund when, according to him, sufficient space was available. He also alleged that several shops between Gunjur and Dommasandra had encroached on more than eight feet of space and asked why officials had not acted before traffic conditions worsened.
He directed officials to examine encroachments, including private shops on government land, and take action in accordance with the rules. They were also asked to follow up on previously inspected unauthorised buildings and pending cases.
For widening and other works that require additional land, departments were told to establish the availability and acquisition status, coordinate with property owners and take the applicable legal steps. Alternative and temporary arrangements should be explored where land issues are delaying work, he said.
Plan today’s works around future Metro and elevated roads
The minister asked KRDCL, Metro and other agencies to coordinate current road improvements with future elevated-road and Metro projects so that one project does not obstruct another or lead to roads being dug up again.
He called for immediate attention to potholes, damaged road sections, roadside pits, waterlogging and traffic obstructions. Gravel should be laid wherever needed to make road surfaces usable, pending work completed quickly and recently started projects accelerated.
At junctions, officials were asked to identify local bottlenecks and improve turns and connecting roads within available space. BESCOM transformers and electricity poles obstructing roads or turns should be identified and shifted where necessary; unused poles causing obstructions should be examined for removal.
Drainage, pipelines and footpaths also under review
Byre Gowda instructed officials to identify waterlogged stretches and examine drainage arrangements so that rainwater can flow freely. They were asked to assess feasible routes for main drainage connections and pipelines, including links from end points to suitable chambers where required.
Temporary drainage measures should provide immediate relief while permanent works are planned to prevent the problem from recurring, he said.
Water-supply pipeline work should proceed without avoidable inconvenience to residents and motorists. Pipes and construction materials obstructing roadsides should be managed properly and the work completed quickly.
Officials were also told to remove roadside construction debris and silt, provide outlets where water collects and repair damaged footpath slabs for safer pedestrian movement.
The minister called for continued coordination among roads, drainage, power, water-supply and Metro agencies, with urgent works prioritised and progress reviewed regularly. The statement did not announce a project-wise budget or a fixed completion deadline.
MLA Manjula Aravind Limbavali, Bengaluru East City Corporation Commissioner D.S. Ramesh, Additional Commissioner (Development) Lokhande Snehal Sudhakar, Joint Commissioner Dr. Dakshayini K., Chief Engineer Lokesh and officials from KRDCL, BESCOM, Metro and BWSSB were present.
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