Killer potholes: Couple rushing their sick grandchild to hospital dies in accident in Bengaluru

9000-odd potholes, and in spite of accidents and deaths, authorities learn no lesson.
Killer potholes: Couple rushing their sick grandchild to hospital dies in accident in Bengaluru
Killer potholes: Couple rushing their sick grandchild to hospital dies in accident in Bengaluru
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There are 9000-odd potholes in Bengaluru city and in spite of citizens and citizens groups warning authorities repeatedly about the danger, no lessons seem to have been learnt.

For Sagai Mary (53) and Anthony Joseph (55), residents of JJ Nagar, the city’s potholes turned deadly. They were taking their granddaughter to a private hospital on Tuesday morning as she had fallen sick.

At around 3.30 am, they were crossing Sirsi Flyover on Mysuru Road near KR Market. Anthony, who was riding a Honda Activa, was passing Nalanda Theatre area when he tried veering left to avoid a huge pothole.

“He lost control and the three persons on the bike fell down. A Tamil Nadu State Transport bus, which was right behind them, ran over Anthony Joseph and Sagai Mary. They died on the spot. Their granddaughter sustained minor injuries,” said DCP Shivakumar.

The bus driver fled the spot and the police are looking for him. The Chikkapete Traffic Police rushed the eight-year-old girl to Victoria Hospital. Anthony and Sagai Mary were declared brought dead.

Shivakumar, who visited the accident spot said that there are several potholes on the flyover itself.

“The relatives of the deceased persons are blaming both the pothole and the negligent driver. They have requested the BBMP to fill up all the potholes in the city,” he added.

Bengaluru Mayor Sampath Raj told TNM that he had not visited the spot yet but will do so. “I have been in Basavanagudi inspecting the potholes since 7am. I did not hear about this incident but I will visit the spot and also the family members. The reason why the BBMP has been unable to cover the potholes is because of the heavy rain,” he said.

“Since the past two months it has been raining heavily. It rains throughout the night and till the early hours on the next day. We are unable to fix the potholes as asphalting cannot be done when the roads are wet. I am going along with the BBMP Commissioner to inspect all the potholes. I assure you that as soon as the rain stops, all potholes will be filled. We will take up this job and have given it top priority. I took charge only on September 27 and this is my second day in office. I am trying to do everything I can,” Mayor Sampath Raj added.

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