Ibrahim Saheb Street behind Commercial Street will be repaired in a month, said a Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) official.
Bengaluru: The muddy roads and damaged pavements on Ibrahim Saheb Street, Shivajinagar, have been causing inconvenience to both shoppers and businesses for several months. This situation has not only reduced the customer flow to the area but has also increased the risk of accidents for daily visitors and shop owners.
Shop owners and visitors blamed the inaction by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) for the condition of the road.
Saif Ali, a shop owner on Ibrahim Saheb Street, said, “My son slipped and fell while walking on the street, resulting in three stitches due to the muddy and broken road. This incident has left me feeling furious. Moreover, during the rainy days, we fear walking on this street, so I keep my shop closed during the monsoon.”
Shoaib Khan, a cloth shop owner said, “Our store has been facing challenges over the past six months due to the poor road conditions. Particularly during the rainy season, the road becomes muddy and slippery.” Additionally, he said, that the number of visitors to his shop has come down.
Subhashree Sharma, a visitor, said, “Commercial Street has always been my favorite shopping destination. However, I had never visited Ibrahim Saheb Street, though it is nearby. But today, while exploring Commercial Street, I walked into Ibrahim Saheb Street. Unfortunately, the road was in such a pathetic condition that walking on it was impossible for me and I had to leave.”
A resident of Shivajinagar, Faisal Ali said, “The roads have been like this for a long time now. Sometimes workers fill the roads with cement chips and then neglect it until someone complains. This cycle has been going on since January, but BBMP is not taking any action.”
Saifuddin, Chief Executive Engineer of BBMP East Zone said, “BWSSB delayed the pipeline work on the road which hindered our work. Since the pipeline work is over now, we have started repairing the road and it will be done in a month.”
However, contractor bills are still pending, he said, and that may hinder the completion of the work. He explained, “Contractors have sent numerous e-mails and letters to BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath, requesting payment but no action has been taken.” Consequently, ongoing projects and maintenance work in Bengaluru has been halted by the contractors. The existing dues of the contractors will only be released after the government order, he added.
C.Prakash, a contractor of the BBMP, said that they are currently working on Ibrahim Sahib Street. The delay was due to the dispute among the contractors. However, they have already commenced the pending work.
Ashma Sastry, an urban planner, said that road construction progress can be hindered due to insufficient funds provided to the contractors. Under normal circumstances, the road work should be completed within one month. However, due to the financial disputes between the contractors and the authorities, the project remains pending, she added.
