'Be honest': Karnataka HC tells BBMP which claimed only 221 potholes in Bengaluru

Earlier, the court said that not giving an outer time limit for completing the work was improper

The High Court on Monday directed the BBMP to constitute a three-member committee to implement the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report on stormwater drains (SWDs).

The directions came after the court’s observation that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) was unable to state the steps it had taken to implement the report.

A division bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Alok Aradhe also directed that no authority shall conduct either a parallel enquiry or pass any orders in respect of the removal of encroachments on SWDs.

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“It is directed that no authority shall conduct either a parallel enquiry or pass orders in respect of the subject matter of this petition. Needless to say, the order passed by this court is binding on all the authorities. It is also made clear that any deviation/non-compliance of the directions issued by this court today shall be viewed seriously,” the bench said.

During the hearing, the bench was informed that a performance audit of the management of stormwater drains in the Bengaluru urban area was conducted by the CAG, and the BBMP received the report on September 15, 2021.

“However, counsel for the BBMP is unable to state with regard to the substantial steps taken for the implementation of the report. It is stated by counsel that the BBMP shall constitute a committee of three officers to ensure the implementation of the report submitted by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and the team of aforesaid officers shall submit a report to this court with measures suggested in the report,” the bench said.

The bench also said that the BBMP shall remove the remaining 602 encroachments on the SWDs expeditiously and submit a compliance report every fortnight. The civic body had earlier stated that since 2016-17, it has cleared 1,999 encroachments on SWDs out of a total of 2,626 identified encroachments.

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221 potholes to be repaired in 10 days

The bench has directed the BBMP to submit a compliance report by September 30 regarding the filling up of the remaining 221 potholes on major roads in the city.
The counsel for the BBMP informed the court that these 221 potholes will be repaired within 10 days by using the hot mix.

It was also informed that the BBMP has already issued tenders in June-July 2022 for resurfacing of roads (427 km) and the work is likely to be completed by January 31, 2023.

In regard to resurfacing 2,500 km of arterial roads in the eight zones, the work will be completed before March 31, 2023, the counsel submitted.

Meanwhile, the bench directed the BBMP to give wide publicity about the dedicated website wherein the citizens can file complaints about potholes. It was informed to the court that upon a complaint, an action taken report is uploaded on the dedicated website along with photographs.