Bengaluru: One of the oldest schools in Bengaluru is unable to function peacefully, all thanks to poor-quality roads and indiscriminate parking. Convent Road, the narrow one-way road that runs between Residency Road and Richmond Road, is plagued by two major issues: potholes and illegal parking. The road was developed as part of the Bengaluru Smart City project under the TenderSURE model.The 170-year-old school, Good Shepherd Convent, following continuous complaints from parents, took up repairs in Aug and instructed contractors working for the school to fill potholes as a temporary measure. Bengaluru Central city corporation executive engineer HB Kalleshappa said civic workers had earlier covered potholes using wet mix as a temporary measure to make the road motorable. “The road was handed over recently to the new corporation after being maintained under the Smart City project. We will take up repairs in a couple of days,” he said, adding the deployment of corporation engineers for the social and educational survey has affected the work.On Monday, the steel grating that covered the inlet to the stormwater drain was found broken. A twig with a red cloth and a potted plant were placed near the drain opening to warn road users.Parked Vehicles a MenaceSchool students find it difficult to cross the road that sees busy vehicular movement for most of the day. The vehicles, mostly cars, are parked on one side of the entire stretch of Convent Road. This renders the road even more narrow. Moreover, parents and school van drivers find it challenging to drop off kids at the school. N Manjunath, a security guard at Good Shepherd, said: “Early in the mornings, some bikers ride rashly and pose a threat to children. Two-wheelers can be seen plying in both directions on this one-way street.” Pointing to an SUV, Manjunath said the vehicle was parked there for over four months. G Ningaraj, a teacher, said parents have been complaining to traffic police. “Many of these vehicles are vans belonging to other schools and cars of people unrelated to the school,” he said. M John Peter Manul, a member of Good Shepherd Convent parent-teacher association , said the ‘No Parking’ signboards are of no use as vehicles are parked right in front of them.
