Tannery Road Repair Delays Cause Traffic Woes and Safety Hazards in KG Halli

BENGALURU — Daily commuting between the Kadugondanahalli (KG Halli) Railway Gate and Tannery Road has turned into a slow crawl marked by heavy dust, deep potholes, and loose gravel, turning routine 20-minute journeys toward Nagawara into hour-long delays.

Bengaluru North City Corporation (BNCC) officials stated that the road is damaged due to ongoing pipeline work being conducted by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). A KG Halli ward engineer explained that civic officials cannot intervene until the utility agency completes its work and hands over the corridor. The official added that white-topping work will begin only after the handover, which is expected by the end of the month, with completion slated for the end of the year.

However, local residents and shop owners pointed out that the stretch has suffered from civic neglect for four to five years. Abdul Ahmed, a fruit vendor who has operated a shop in the area for over a decade, said different agencies dig up the road every few months, relying on temporary fixes rather than lasting solutions.

Residents noted that workers have dumped gravel and dry cement over unpaved patches instead of properly macadamising the surface, making the road hazardous for pedestrians and two-wheelers. Sharon, a local resident, reported that her son slipped and fell while walking to school due to the loose surface.

The degraded road conditions have also impacted public transport operations and commuters' health. Divya, a college student, said she must leave home an hour early as uneven road surfaces cause severe bumps during bus rides, while airborne dust has led to coughs and skin allergies.

Bus staff face similar difficulties along the route. A BMTC conductor stated that navigating the stretch has become challenging, noting that an electric bus recently became stuck in a deep crater, while continuous exposure to dust has caused persistent health issues for transport workers.