Bengaluru: A fortnight back: Scores of school students sent postcards to deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar complaining of deplorable state of roads around Carmelaram area in the tech-corridor and seeking immediate relief. Cut to Wednesday: The DCM reacted stating all potholes have been fixed and assured asphalting work will be taken up after rains stop!The Times of India had, in a report titled “Schoolkids pen pleas to DCM for safer roads at Carmelaram” published on Aug 25, had highlighted the ordeals faced by students on roads dotted with potholes and craters. The students decided to dash postcards to DCM, whose family also runs educational institutions in the city, stating they were being forced to endure treacherous roads for no fault of theirs. The students from Carmelaram and Chikkabellandur highlighted their struggles on key stretches, including Gear School Road, Varthur Main Road, Carmelaram Railway Station Road, and the half-built 100ft Road. They also drew attention to the long-stalled Carmelaram railway overbridge project, which continued to worsen traffic snarls.Responding to this, DCM stated: “We Listened, We Acted! A few weeks ago, some young Bengalureans wrote to me about the potholes in Carmelaram and how they were struggling every day to get to school. We listened, we acted, and today those potholes have been fixed – easing mobility for everyone in the area. Once the rains stop, we’ll asphalt the roads to ensure a smoother, safer commute. We’re constantly listening to you and working to make Namma Bengaluru better, step by step. Truly proud of the civic sense and awareness shown by our future citizens – you inspire us to work harder every day!”However, the ground reality is different, say residents. While they appreciate DCM acknowledging the issue and getting patchworks done in few stretches, they say the work is not satisfactory. Jose Thazhathuveettil, a citizen activist from Carmelaram Unite, said: “We appreciate DCM’s attention to our children’s handwritten letters. While some progress was initiated, the road conditions remain unsatisfactory. Until the critical CDP roads are developed, traffic conditions will remain pathetic.”Sameer Rakhsith, a resident of Carmelaram, said: “We were told the asphalting will be done next month. Besides the patchwork done only in a few places, the rest still remain the same. We are still struggling, and bumpy rides continue. We are happy that DCM has taken note of it, but it’s sad to see that something was posted without checking the ground reality.” Many road-users tagged DCM with latest photographs of the broken roads. Radhakrishnan TS, 78, a resident for over 15 years in the area, said the road patchwork done in front of his apartment just a week ago has already washed away. “Honestly, DCM’s tweet made me feel disappointed and frustrated. Roads were laid once or twice in between, but they lasted only a month if it didn’t rain. The new GBA, just like they are fixing main roads, they need to lay a proper road here — dig it up fully and do it right. We have given up. Five years ago, there used to be positive messages in our community — someone is visiting, something will happen. Now, it’s all hopelessness. People my age can never walk on that road safely.”
