BENGALURU: The ongoing underground cable-laying work by Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) in the heart of Bengaluru has left commuters and residents frustrated.
The city’s already chaotic traffic has worsened, with kilometres-long traffic congestion on Kanteerava Studios Road, Peenya Industrial Area, Goraguntepalya, Mahalakshmi Layout, Laggere and Summanahalli Road. Road users are expressing outrage at slow progress of the cable-laying work.
For 20 days, the KPTCL’s underground cable work has caused numerous issues to commuters, schoolchildren, workers, and residents. The already potholed roads have become more treacherous, and dust pollution has reached alarming levels. Residents and commuters are anxious about the completion of the project, which has no clear deadline. They are worried about the spread of diseases due to the dust and chaos.
Locals allege that the contractors have flouted norms and ignored safety protocols, adding to the public’s misery.
A local Naveen Gowda said that the cable-laying work being done by KPTCL created many issues and chaos. “The slow work has led to kilometre-long traffic during the peak hour. There is a lot of pollution and dust, causing breathing issues. The authorities concerned should provide alternative roads, but nothing is done. It’s been going on since last month. The authorities should pay attention and speed up the work”, he said.
Another local resident, Basavaraj, said, “We are facing problems every day since a month due to cable work. It is taking a long time to reach Kanteerava Studios Road. There is a need to address the problem. People who are heading to the offices and schoolchildren are finding it difficult to reach on time. None of the officials have visited the work site till today. Work is ongoing and no one knows when it will get over. It is very tough to pass the road till the junction”.