BDA clarifies viral photos of sinking road at Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout

The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has issued a clarification regarding photographs circulating on social media that show a "localised settlement" on the Major Arterial Road at Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout in Bengaluru. The authority stated that the images represent an earlier stage of construction and do not reflect the current condition of the road, which has already been fully repaired.

The clarification was released ahead of the upcoming official inauguration of the Major Arterial Road. The BDA asserted that the road settlement occurred during the active execution phase of the project and was immediately rectified by engineering teams.

According to the BDA, the specific location shown in the viral photographs is situated on the left-hand side service road near Chainage 6.40 km within the Sulikere Reserve Forest area. At this site, a reinforced cement concrete (RCC) animal crossing box structure measuring four metres by four metres and two RCC box culverts have been constructed.

The BDA explained that the embankment at this location is approximately seven metres high. Achieving the necessary soil compaction adjacent to the RCC structures proved technically challenging for the construction teams. This was due to strict restrictions on the movement of heavy machinery within the sensitive reserve forest area, limited working space, and the critical need to avoid causing any damage to the newly built RCC structures.

During recent heavy rainfall, while the service road construction was still actively underway, a localised settlement of about 300 mm occurred in the embankment fill right next to the animal crossing structure. However, the BDA confirmed that there was no structural damage, cracking, or distress caused to the RCC structures.

Following the settlement, the affected portion of the service road was refilled, re-compacted, and resurfaced, successfully restoring the road to its original design level.

The authority further clarified that the upcoming inauguration is strictly for the main carriageway of the Major Arterial Road. The service roads are not included in the inauguration. Currently, service road construction at five different locations remains incomplete and closed to traffic due to active court stay orders.