In Mysuru, woman falls off scooter while avoiding pothole

BENGALURU: An accident on Mysuru Road this week served as an early reminder of the epidemic of potholes and buck-passing awaiting citizens this monsoon. A woman scooterist fell off her ride and sustained injuries while trying to avoid a crater in the middle of the stretch in Pantarapalya, Nayandahalli.
The incident, which occurred around 6 pm on Monday, could have been worse had the motorist driving immediately behind the scooter not hit the brakes promptly on seeing her topple to the ground.Passersby rushed to her aid and signalled other vehicles to stop as they quickly moved her away from the spot.
Officials of different agencies — the city’s custodian, BBMP; water supply board BWSSB; and metro operator BMRCL — refused to accept any responsibility for the incident, blaming each other instead.
Potholes have started to pop up in several places after the recent showers. Many Bangalureans, especially two-wheeler riders, have become adept at negotiating pockmarked obstacle courses that many of the city’s thoroughfares are known to be. But the presence of a sizeable pothole right in the middle of Mysuru Road unnerved the woman, who lost control of her scooter as she suddenly tried to chart a safe passage around it.
After learning about the accident, mayor Gangambike Mallikarjun inspected the stretch on Monday itself and was shocked to see half a dozen more potholes in the area. TOI noticed at least 26 potholes on the Mysuru Road section between Nayandahalli to Rajarajeshwari Nagar Arc. Gravel and sand littered this section, increasing the risk of skidding for two-wheeler riders.
Civic officials blamed BMRCL and BWSSB for the potholes, claiming they had been negligent while executing their works on the stretch. “Last year, two people lost their lives in accidents caused by potholes at the same spot and now, another woman has met with an accident. BMRCL is responsible for the road and it is absolutely careless,” an official said.
BBMP executive engineer Nandeesh N said it would file a police complaint against the chief engineers of BMRCL and BWSSB for alleged negligence. “Despite a number of reminders, the two organisations have not filled the potholes,” he said.
Gangambike told TOI the main responsibility over craters and the resulting accidents rested with the water supply board. “Our engineers fill potholes and repair roads, but BWSSB keeps digging them up to lay pipes and undertake other works, which damage the stretches,” she said.
A BWSSB official, however, said there was no sewage or water line in the area where Monday’s accident occurred. “So, it’s not possible that water flowed onto the surface and damaged it,” he said.
BWSSB’s representatives were present at the spot during the mayor’s inspection.
BMRCL officials were not available for comment.