Sinking surfaces of Metro shafts on Brigade Road raise concern

BENGALURU: Days after the collapse of the reinforcement cage of an under-construction Metro pillar, works being taken up by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited  (BMRCL) have caused anxiety among citizens. Only a couple of days ago two two-wheeler riders fell near Shoolay Circle on Brigade Road after a portion of the road caved in.

A reality check by Publict TV has now revealed that shafts dug by BMRCL to inspect tunneling work are also posing a danger for road users. The shafts were dug by BMRCL on the road from Shivajinagar to Adugodi via Brigade Road for checking the Metro tunnels on the Gottigere-Nagawara underground section, but have not been closed properly. Though the shafts were closed, the road levelled and asphalted, the surface has sunk at many places, and motorists fear that it may cave in any time.

Brigade Road in the hearty of the city witnesses heavy traffic with thousands of vehicles passing through every day.  Road users and vehicle owners are worried about the sinking surface where the shafts were dug and say that if they are not levelled properly, it could lead to more mishaps. If the BMRCL takes corrective action right away, people’s lives can be saved, they noted.

Local resident Nagaraj said, If BMRCL is not awaken now itself, they will pay heavy cost.

Nagaraj, a local resident, said, “In the initial stage of they work, they drilled holes like tubewells and closed it with a lid. After that, some sort of noise started coming from the shafts. There are many such shafts throughout Brigade Road, which can be a danger to people. If BMRCL does not take precautionary measures, the surface of the road will sink one day for sure. If the authorities do no awaken now itself, they will have to pay a heavy price”.

Thejas said, If the concerned authorities will do their job properly, is enough for smooth functioning of traffic.

Thejas, who plies his autorickshaw around the area, claimed, “BMRCL always does incomplete works, which is causing traffic problems. If they dig the roads for some work, they should close it immediately after finishing their work, but they are not about road safety or public safety. They move on to other works and ignore the previous works. Filling the shafts is their responsible too. If they do their work properly, traffic movement will be smooth”.