Maheshwar Rao directs officials to expedite white-topping work across 28 major roads

Greater Bangalore Authority (GBA) Chief Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao on Friday directed officials to speed up white-topping works across 28 major roads in the GBA limits and ensure better coordination among civic agencies to avoid delays.

Chairing a review meeting here on white-topping and optical fibre cable (OFC) issues, Mr. Rao instructed that show-cause notices be issued to contractors who have not performed road works properly. He directed the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to address multiple issues, including road reconstruction after pipeline works, drainage leakages, raising of manholes, and repair of cut sections where sewage is flowing onto the roads.

The BWSSB has also been asked to obtain pending permissions from the traffic police and begin work without further delay.

Mr. Rao said that Bescom must quickly relocate electric poles and transformers at identified stretches to facilitate roadwork, while the traffic police should expedite pending permissions required for these activities. He also instructed all departments to submit a timeline specifying when their respective works would be completed and to ensure that the deadlines are met.

OFC cable regulation plan 

Mr. Rao held discussions with representatives of OFC service providers, noting that hanging or illegally installed cables on footpaths and electric poles were spoiling the city’s aesthetics. He suggested studying how other cities manage OFC installations and submitting a report on whether similar models could be adopted in Bengaluru.

Panathur-Balagere inspection

During the inspection along Panathur Cross and Balagere road, Mr. Rao directed officials to expedite the completion of pending road and drain works, citing traffic and flooding concerns in the area. 

Mr. Rao noted that of the one-km stretch from the Outer Ring Road service road, asphalting has been completed and directed that second concrete layer to be laid without delay.

Observing the poor condition of the road adjacent to the railway track, he instructed that a nameboard be displayed clarifying that the stretch falls under the Railway Department’s jurisdiction. Officials informed that a letter has already been sent to the department seeking necessary repair work.