‘Fighting over Kannada will fix it’: Road shut for days, Bengaluru motorists brave broken lanes, open drains to commute; video sparks outrage

The now-viral video shows several motorists riding through a muddy, drain-like path to get past the traffic congestion.

The road has been shut for several weeks while undergoing concretisation work (Image source: @jist.news/Instagram)

Bengaluru, known as the Silicon Valley of India, has recently been under scrutiny due to the poor management of traffic triggered by the under-construction roads. Amid several commuters turning to social media over the never-ending traffic jam in the city, a video of motorists navigating broken lanes and open drains to avoid traffic on the Panathur-Balagere corridor has sparked strong criticism.

According to TOI, the road has been shut for several weeks for concretisation work. It was scheduled to reopen by October, but the project was postponed after civic agencies failed to complete the construction on time. The now-viral video shows several motorists riding through a muddy, drain-like path to get past the traffic congestion, while auto-rickshaws and other commuters can be seen getting stuck along the stretch.

Sharing the video on Instagram, @jist.news wrote, “The main Kadubeesanahalli–Panathur stretch remains closed for white-topping work that began on October 10 and was supposed to finish by month-end, but delays have forced thousands of daily commuters onto narrow service lanes and dug-up byroads.”

Watch here:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jist (@jist.news)

Also Read | ‘2 hours just to get a cab’: Viral video showing long queues for Uber at Bengaluru airport sparks debate on city’s transport woes

The video has since gone viral, triggering outrage over poor management of roads and construction projects in Bengaluru, which has led to commuters risking their lives. “Side effects of giving freebies in Karnataka as well in whole india. Because of freebies money shortage is happening. Due to that the development works stops or becomes slow,” a user wrote. “Panathur Road.. Got stuck there a few days ago.. better to avoid this route and use ORR,” another user shared.

Story continues below this ad

“Maybe talking in Kannada would fix this. People and Government are busy fighting this issue,” a third user reacted.

One user, however, slammed the commuters. “Does it look like a road? No, because it’s not the road. The real road is closed for white topping. Desparate people not willing to take a longer route are crossing the railway line , even riding in the drainage,” the user commented.