Incomplete Smart City work in Sultanpet becomes big headache for businesses

BENGALURU: Residents of Sultanpet are facing hardship due to incomplete works taken up under the Smart City project. They say that going by the tardy pace of work, it may not even be completed this year. With the Model Election Code of Conduct kicking in after the Assembly elections are announced, the work may be stalled, the locals fear.

Earlier, Sultanpet Road was buzzing with commercial activity, but the road has been dug up and people are hesitant to visit due to the delay in work.

Sudhir, a shop owner, said, “The BBMP started the work prior to Deepavali last year and it is almost four to five months. The place is full of dust and construction work is not going on properly. The authorities had set a January deadline, but work is still going on. The quality of construction also is very poor and I think they are simply dragging the period of work. The main seasons for our business are Dasara, Deepavali, Ugadi and Ramzan festival. We are paying taxes and rent on time, but the contractors block the road, affecting our business”.

Vimal Kumar, another shopkeeper, too complained about the incomplete road work and dust pollution. “Customers are not coming here due to the poor condition of the road and we are not getting proper business since three months. The contractor has missed the deadline and we don’t know when they will complete it”, he said.

Devaraj, a local, said, the road witnesses accidents every day. “Many vehicles have crashed here, but the authorities concerned are not taking it seriously. There is waterlogging on the road when it rains. I request the authorities to speed up the work”, he added.