Only one week after re-laying the road that leads to Ryan International School at Brookefields, the asphalt started pitting. Aggregate (jelly) started peeling, and undulations on road surface appeared. The road looked as though it tired of a couple of monsoons, although it was all of one week young.
Demoralised but not defeated, Brookefields residents contacted Chief Engineer Parameshwariah, upon the advise of RK Mishra. In close tandem, Doddanekkundi’s newly-elected Councillor, Vijaykumar, was watching.
The new chief engineer is a dynamic man. He easily upsets when he sees shoddy quality in public works. He is widely recognised as the force behind Yelahanka’s SWM success. He spent an hour on the phone with us, and swore he would make the contractor hew to specifications.
The next day, an inspection team led by AEE Munireddy arrived, encouraged by a few friendly phone calls from Councillor Vijaykumar. An hour after inspection, work started, and by end of day, an additional 25 mm of semi-dense bituminous concrete draped the road.
So is our problem all solved? Are we going to enjoy a road that will last five monsoons? Probably not.
Due to impatient traffic, the new surface could not be laid as per process. And who knows, the next week may not see pitting of the asphalt, but a digging crew from BWSSB.
Nevertheless, I document with gratitude: the Chief Engineer responded. Our elected Councillor, who ordered the original re-surface, not just responded, but supervised both the original and remedial re-surfacing. The inspection team was there from start to the late-night finish. The Councillor, the Chief Engineer, the Inspector insisted that the contractor fulfill his obligations before payment. Nobody dismissed our complaints.
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find.” Could it really be that simple?
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