GBA Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao held a meeting with officials on Monday.
Maheshwar Rao directs corporations to procure pothole-filling machines
Bengaluru
In a bid to tackle the city’s persistent road woes, Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao has directed that each municipal corporation under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) procure a dedicated pothole-filling machine.
Addressing a high-level coordination meeting with multiple departments, Rao stressed the urgent need to fix potholes across all jurisdictions and ensure immediate restoration of roads damaged during infrastructure works. He instructed that all five city corporations procure machines and undertake asphalting works without delay.
Highlighting lapses in road restoration, Rao warned that agencies failing to repair roads after excavation—despite obtaining approvals through the MARKS software—would face cost recovery measures, with civic bodies stepping in to complete the repairs and bill the responsible entities.
On pending permissions, he directed officials to expedite approvals for road-cutting applications submitted by GAIL, while ensuring that restoration is mandatorily carried out by the executing agency post-completion.
In a parallel push to improve traffic conditions, Rao ordered the immediate towing of abandoned vehicles parked along roadsides for months. With towing vehicles already handed over to the traffic police by North and Central civic bodies, operations are set to begin from Tuesday. He also called for stricter enforcement against illegal parking, especially on white-topped and major roads.
With pre-monsoon showers approaching, Rao emphasised accelerated desilting of stormwater drains and canals to prevent flooding. He also called for a joint inspection and integrated development plan for the congested Hebbal Junction, where multiple infrastructure projects are underway.
Additionally, he directed the water board to prevent sewage inflow into the K-100 canal, citing ongoing contamination concerns.
Senior officials from BDA, municipal corporations, Metro, DULT, K-RIDE, Railways, and NHAI attended the meeting.