Mysuru: With most parts of the city reeling under water crisis, there seems to be a double whammy for Srirampura second stage residents as they have to grapple with poor condition of roads.

The road near Amrutha Bakery in Srirampura second stage was dug up by the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) two months ago for construction of a drainage. But as the works are yet to be completed, the neighbouring residents are left to face a lot of hardship. Recently, a woman broke her hand when she fell into the pit dug by the MCC, while attempting to cross it to reach the other side of the road.

Besides, there are several instances of pedestrians and motorists sustaining injuries while making their own way to cross the road. The problem is more serious during the night, as the road is poorly lit. Although the neighbouring residents have complained to the Corporator of Ward 14, under which the area comes, the authorities have been apathetic to the plight of the residents.

Various geographical hurdles to the drainage have been a major hindrance to the completion of works and the telecom cables, water pipeline and electric wires passing between has further compounded the problem. The authorities express their helplessness saying there were many hurdles that need to be cleared for the completion of works. Amidst the works getting delayed, a drinking water pipeline busted a couple of days ago, with precious water going waste.

The Srirampura second stage main road extends from Vivekanandanagar Circle to H.D. Kote Ring Road and motorists using this stretch of the road are taking alternative routes to reach their destination. While some KSRTC buses travel on the parallel road, other buses attached to Kuvempunagar depot, pass through BEML Nagar, Devayyanahundi and Shiva Temple, Aravindanagar, to reach the depot.

As concrete works on the dug up stretch of the road is yet to be taken up, daily joggers, morning walkers, children, students and people of all ages are finding it difficult to reach the park along the main road. They have to cross heaps of dug up mud, jelly stones and other construction materials to reach the park. There are many incidents of people getting injured after losing their balance and falling or slipping.

The Ward Corporator Jagadish says that the road repair works on the stretch of the road from Vivekanandanagar to BEML has been taken up at an estimated cost of Rs. 2 crore, with a 6-month deadline for executing the works. However, the works have been expedited and ‘Caution’ sign boards have been erected on both sides of the road which serves as a warning to pedestrians and motorists. KSRTC buses ply on the parallel road as a safety measure.

Despite the ‘Caution’ boards, some motorists and pedestrians choose this road for travel and there were incidents of many pedestrian and motorists, especially two-wheeler riders, injuring themselves after skidding, according to Corporator Jagadish.

Citizens are of the opinion that the city slipped to fifth in ranking in Cleanest City, as there are many such main roads in the city which poses a threat to both pedestrians and motorists alike.

Sujatha, a resident of Srirampura second stage, says that repair works are going on at a slow pace. The condition of the road has become worst over the years and the pit dug up by the MCC for drainage construction has only worsened the situation.

Recently, a woman broke her arms after slipping while crossing the dug up section of the road. Even as the residents are facing a lot of hardship, the authorities are doling out their own reasons for the delay in the completion of works, she said and urged the authorities to wake up from deep slumber and come to the rescue of the residents.

Gangadhar, an auto driver, says that there was an auto stand near the Bakery. But the drainage works taken up in the middle of the road has caused a lot of hardship to all road users. As pedestrians are avoiding this road, the demand for autos at the stand has dropped drastically, causing losses to auto drivers, he said.

Vijesh, of Amrutha Bakery, says that there was a significant drop in the number of customers visiting the bakery since the road was dug up a couple of months ago. The in-completion of works on this ever-busy road, has caused great inconvenience to neighbouring residents and the public in general. As such, the authorities concerned should take immediate steps to expedite the works and put an end to the woes of the residents, he says.