54 of 78 Bengaluru white-topping works are behind schedule

Fifty-four of Bengaluru’s 78 ongoing white-topping works are behind schedule, keeping diversions in place on several busy roads and adding pressure to congested routes.

The delayed works include Hennur 80 Feet Road, Mosque Road, Sanjaynagar Main Road and Hosakerehalli Main Road. Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda presented the project-status data in response to a question from Yelahanka MLA S.R. Vishwanath.

B-SMILE officials said approvals and coordination among agencies have slowed work. On Kengal Hanumanthaiya Road, permission for a closure was denied on more than two occasions before being approved recently. Bengaluru Traffic Police said the road is a major link and that even a partial closure would disrupt traffic. Police have asked for drain work to be completed before permissions are extended in phases.

The delays have affected key commuter links. Work in Panathur has slowed peak-hour traffic around Marathahalli Junction, while work on Lower Agaram Road has disrupted a route between the city’s southeastern and central areas.

Gowda said water and sewer lines are reviewed during white-topping so roads do not need to be dug up again for 20 years. He also announced a single-platform application intended to help agencies coordinate civic works.