Bengaluru minister flags pole spacing, debris on Outer Ring Road

On Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road, old and new electricity poles stand as little as 5 to 10 metres apart at some High-Density Corridor work sites, Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said during an inspection.

Byre Gowda questioned officials about the spacing, saying completed stretches are intended to have one electricity pole every 20 metres. He asked whether old poles should be removed when new ones are installed and whether replacement poles should follow a uniform design.

He also flagged debris that contractors had dumped near trees and asked why officials had not stopped it. Addressing B-SMILE officials, he asked whether the work was being carried out for public benefit or allowing contractors to raise bills.

The inspection raised questions about the removal of old poles, debris clearance and supervision of work along the corridor.