A ground report from L&T to Koorgalli Lake

Sir,

The Road from L&T to Koorgalli Lake, a key industrial stretch in Mysuru, is now barely recognisable as a road. What should be a smooth corridor for MSMEs and heavy industry is now a wrecked maze of potholes, loose gravel and incomplete civic works.

The L&T to BEML stretch is one of the worst-hit sections — there’s virtually no proper road left. Massive potholes, uneven surfaces and erosion have made it dangerous for every commuter. Each vehicle is forced to weave its way through the broken terrain, trying to find just enough solid ground to pass — like navigating a maze with no exit. Elderly residents and two-wheeler riders are especially at risk, with frequent slips and near-accidents becoming routine.

Further ahead, the Koorgalli Lake stretch tells a similar story, worsened by incomplete road construction and unscientifically laid sewage patches. These patches have been left open or half-covered, causing water stagnation, narrowing the roads, and adding yet another obstacle to an already difficult commute.

New potholes are appearing every day, and instead of fixing it, the department is installing plants as an indication for the commuters.

When questioned, one department official astonishingly remarked, “We have enough funds only to pour sand on the potholes.” And that’s exactly what has been done.

A few potholes were ‘fixed’ by dumping sand — a temporary patch that vanishes within hours, leaving behind an even messier and more dangerous surface.

The cost of this neglect isn’t just in accidents or delays. The repeated damage to vehicles has become a financial burden for local residents, transporters, and industrial workers alike.

For an area home to MSMEs and heavy industry, this level of neglect is unacceptable. If this is how we treat industrial infrastructure, it raises a bigger concern: Is this a sign of what’s in store for the future of our MSMEs and residents? Sadly, it appears so.

— A helpless daily commuter, Mysuru, 6.8.2025

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