A perilous and unprotected stretch along a major stormwater drain in Bengaluru's Chikkalasandra area continues to endanger motorists and pedestrians, with local authorities failing to act despite repeated complaints from residents. The hazardous spot is located on Kengal Hanumanthaiah Road, near the Ittamadu bus stand.
An Open Invitation to Disaster
The retaining wall of the stormwater drain ends abruptly, and a fence takes over from that point. A gate was initially installed in this fence to allow access for desilting work. However, one of these gates is now missing, and the ground beneath it has started to collapse into the drain itself. This has created a gaping, unmarked hazard directly on the roadside.
Resident Zahid brought the issue to public attention through a post on social media platform X. He reminded local authorities of a complaint he had filed, which was acknowledged in early November. "If an open drain has no barrier and someone falls or gets injured, who will be responsible?" Zahid questioned in his post, adding that despite days passing since the complaint was registered, no corrective action was visible at the site.
Residents' Frustration and Reported Injuries
Other residents of Chikkalasandra echoed this frustration, stating that their grievances have consistently fallen on deaf ears. Janardhan Reddy, a local, revealed that they had even approached the contractor responsible for resurfacing the road about six months ago, requesting that the dangerous opening be addressed. Their appeals yielded no results.
"The opening was meant to provide access for an excavator to desilt the drain. However, neither desilting nor proper closure of the opening has happened," Reddy explained, highlighting the half-finished nature of the work.
The real-world consequences of this negligence are already apparent. Manjunath A, who works at a nearby garage, reported that at least two locals have sustained injuries due to the unsafe opening. "One person suffered a fractured hand and is currently recovering," he said. Manjunath expressed grave concern that the situation could turn fatal, especially during the rainy season when visibility is low and roads are slippery.
Administrative Confusion and Assurances
When contacted, Manjunath, the assistant executive engineer for Bengaluru West city corporation (Padmanabhanagar), provided some insight into the administrative tangle. He confirmed that the gap was created by the stormwater drain department for maintenance. However, he pointed to confusion stemming from the recent formation of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).
"Since the formation of GBA, we are unsure how responsibilities have been divided, and there is no clarity regarding annual maintenance contracts for drains," the engineer stated. He also denied having received any formal complaints or notifications through the GBA's complaint-redressal system, contradicting residents' claims.
He acknowledged that newly formed wards have led to ambiguity over jurisdictional boundaries. Despite the confusion, he assured that a spot inspection would be conducted soon to install a temporary barricade as an immediate safety measure.
Additional Civic Woes in the Vicinity
Compounding the area's problems, a waste transfer spot located a short distance away has become a major nuisance. The site attracts several stray dogs and cows, which often block the road. The area has deteriorated into an unpleasant environment where passersby also urinate, creating further civic and hygiene issues for residents.
The situation on Kengal Hanumanthaiah Road underscores a critical failure in urban maintenance and public safety accountability. With residents living in fear of a potential tragedy and injuries already recorded, the demand for immediate and permanent corrective action grows louder by the day.
