Bengaluru: Someshwara Layout in Bilekahalli can be called the pothole layout of Bengaluru as between the 1st and 2nd cross of this layout there are at least 20 potholes in the span of a 1-km stretch. Due to the ongoing situation, traffic snarls have become a common scenario in this largely residential area.

Hundreds of crores of rupees have been spent by the civic authorities and the government for filling up the potholes but there seem to be no significant difference in the condition of the roads.

Rajashekar K, a resident of Someshwara Layout says, “We have been meted out a step-motherly treatment by the civic authorities for a long time now.

Just because we do not come under the Central Business Districts, attention is never given to us. When Prime Minister Modi came, the BBMP filled the potholes in some stretches of Old Airport Road with giant machines prior to his visit. But as for us we continue to suffer and ask for attention in vain.”

Voicing a similar opinion Ramesh Sukla, another resident says, “Riding a two-wheeler here is nothing less than a roller- coaster ride. I have escaped from falling on this road at night. And during rainy days the situation is worse. Many have fallen on such days.”

Bad roads and traffic jams have resulted in a huge dust problem. Karthik Sarma from Belekahalli says, “The dust pollution has risen and people are unable to even maintain the gardens in their balconies or in front of their houses.

In fact, thanks to the BWSSB, which had dug up the road for pipeline-laying a year ago, the road condition has never improved since.

Everyday the area is subject to traffic jams which have made road crossing impossible for the elderly and children especially during the evening hours.”

Every year contractors and engineers are seen filling up the potholes with gravel and dirt, and sometimes pouring a layer of asphalt over them.

The shoddy job results in potholes coming back, and the entire cycle repeats itself resulting in public money being wasted and misused. Despite public outrage over the reappearance of potholes, the problem continues unabated.