Sir,

It is heartening to note that the roads in Mysuru city are getting asphalted after a gap of several years. But what is not understandable is that the entire width of the road is being tarred without leaving any uncovered margin of natural surface. I wonder what purpose will it serve?

If it rains heavily, there won’t be any space left on the ground to absorb water as the storm water drains are mostly choked with garbage and other waste materials. And in most of the places even the drainage works are half-done. The net result will be flooding of roads and water-logging especially in low-lying areas. This will result in depletion in groundwater levels.

Also, the trees on the sidewalks are not provided with sufficient space around depriving them of adequate water retention and aeration. As such the trees may get uprooted easily without resistance against heavy winds.

Why are these facts not taken into consideration while asphalting roads. Can anybody explain?

By leaving a margin of natural surface on either side of the roads, the cost of asphalting can be brought down and therefore more roads can be taken up for asphalt.

– Vasumathi Narayan, Srirampura 2nd Stage, 11.7.2023

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