BJP for probe into building of Mehkri Circle grade separator

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, OCT. 11. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday demanded a comprehensive probe into the construction of the Rs. 15-crore Inayatulla Mehkri circle grade separator.

``A month after it was inaugurated with much fanfare, the grade separator, has started showing signs of degeneration. Water is oozing out from the road underneath the grade separator at several places, indicating sub-standard construction,'' the BJP legislators from the City, Mr. Suresh Kumar, Mr. R.Ashok, Mr. K.N.Subba Reddy, and Mr. P.C.Mohan told presspersons.

The construction of the grade separator was completed in a hurry without taking the excavation water flow table into consideration. This had resulted in seepage of water from the walls and freshly asphalted roads below the grade separator, the legislators said.

They took presspersons around the grade separator and other ``bad spots'' in several areas of the City. ``Is the poor construction of the grade separator the Chief Minister, Mr. S.M. Krishna's gift to Bangaloreans on completion of his two years in office?'' they asked.

``Temporary passages have been made across the road for the free flow of water (that oozes out). Due to the constant seepage, there has been moss formation on the road making the surface slippery and it is dangerous for the road users,'' Mr. Suresh Kumar and Mr. Ashok said.

Alleging a nexus between the BMP officers and the engineers, and the contractor, M/s Shyamraju and Company, Mr. Suresh Kumar said the soil had not been tested as per the norms after excavation. This had led to discrepancies, he said.

``After excavating the ground, the water flow level should have been checked by way of ``jig boring'' up to 30 to 40 ft. The ``piling foundation'' should have been carried out only after the water level was checked. This would give way for flow of water through the palace compound wall to the other end and check seepage,'' he said.

The holes from where water was oozing out had been plugged temporarily. But this would only loosen the soil and the asphalted surface resulting in potholes and craters.

A comprehensive enquiry by technical experts should be conducted and those involved in the ``sub-standard construction'' should be punished, the legislators demanded.

The BJP challenged Mr. Krishna to develop the Kalasipalyam Bus Stand and upgrade it to modern standards within six months. ``If not, let him disown the title of ``The best Chief Minister,'' Mr. Suresh Kumar said.

Pointing out the unhygienic conditions in the bus stand, he said over 600 buses (including KSRTC, BMTC and private) used the bus stand and over 10,000 people commuted daily basis.

Though the State Government and the BMP had been promising that the bus stand would be developed, nothing had been done so far, he said.

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