Gottigere residents continue to face hazardous commutes as deep potholes and craters disrupt the main roads connecting Doddakammanahalli, Basavanapura and surrounding neighbourhoods, with school buses and two-wheeler riders among those most exposed to the damaged surfaces.
The affected routes include Hommadevanahalli Road and Gottigere Lake Road, which connect several local schools. Residents say the roads around Gottigere Lake have deteriorated to the point that motorists must navigate uneven stretches and large potholes during daily travel.
Residents and local activists told Bangalore Mirror that they have approached the authorities repeatedly for more than a year, seeking repairs and asphalting. Giri Prasad, a resident, said repeated appeals had produced assurances but no visible improvement. He said the roads had continued to worsen while the repair work remained pending.
Ravindra P, another resident, said the condition of the roads had become particularly dangerous for motorists, including two-wheeler riders. He pointed to the regular movement of school buses on the affected routes and said children were being transported every day over roads filled with potholes and craters.
According to Ravindra, residents were previously told that asphalting could not begin until construction of roadside drains was completed. He said the drain work has now been completed, but the road surface has still not been restored. This has left the roads in a damaged state despite the completion of the work cited as a condition for asphalting.
Pongothai of the Bangalore NavaNirmana Party said the issue had also been raised through letters and meetings with senior officials, including the Greater Bengaluru Development Minister. She said authorities had cited a shortage of funds when residents sought action on the roads.
The Bengaluru South City Corporation Assistant Executive Engineer said the roads would be asphalted soon. The official said approval had been received from higher authorities and that the civic body would soon float a tender inviting bidders for the work.
The condition of the roads has therefore moved from a dispute over the need for repairs to a question of implementation. Residents say the drainage-related delay has ended, while the civic response indicates that the next formal step is the tendering process. Until that process is completed and the work begins, school buses, motorists and pedestrians will continue to use the damaged routes around Gottigere Lake.
The corporation’s stated next step is to invite bids after receiving approval from higher authorities, followed by the proposed asphalting of the affected roads.
