White-topping of an arterial road in Bengaluru, Residency Road, is being carried out by the city’s civic body, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). The white-topping, which began earlier this month as part of BBMP’s long-term road improvement plan, was supposed to take about 20 days, according to the authorities.

Twenty days later, the work is still underway, continuing to create trouble for commuters, business owners and the public in general.

Residency Road was earlier redeveloped in 2012 by Jana Urban Space under the Tender SURE (Specifications for Urban Road Execution) project, which introduced uniform travel lanes, wide footpaths, organised parking and a cycle track.

Under Tender SURE, roads are designed not just for vehicles but to be safe, accessible and aesthetically pleasing for all users, with a long-term vision for urban infrastructure. The project also aims to resolve the issues of repeated digging for utility repairs (water, sewage, power, telecom, gas, storm water drains) by integrating all networked services in dedicated utility ducts beneath the footpaths, making them accessible for repairs without constantly tearing up the road surface. This leads to lower life-cycle costs in the long run.

CURRENT WHITE-TOPPING PROJECT

However, the BBMP believes Residency Road needs more durability and is thus undertaking white-topping of portions of it. White-topping refers to the process of overlaying an old asphalt — black-topped — road with Portland Cement Concrete (PCC). This type of road surfacing is known for its durability, longer lifespan and better resistance to water damage, supposedly ideal for Bengaluru’s unpredictable weather and growing traffic load.

To white-top Residency Road, the old asphalt has been dug up and needs to be resurfaced with concrete, along with upgrades for drainage and underground utilities. According to authorities, this would solve long-standing issues like potholes, waterlogging and uneven surfaces.

BBMP officials said that the disruption is temporary and the work will deliver a long-term solution to a deteriorating road. The agency said the construction team was working in phases to minimise disruption and complete the stretch within 20 days. However, they admitted that unforeseen underground issues could cause further delays.

A professor at St Joseph’s Law College, who didn’t want to be named, questioned the rationale and was strongly opposed to the decision to white-top Residency Road. “It will cause severe traffic congestion, especially with Kamaraj Road already closed. This disruption will negatively affect students and educators by delaying commutes, disrupting classes and worsening the learning gaps left by the pandemic. Spending Rs 44 crore on a road that is already in decent condition is unnecessary. BBMP should prioritise urgent needs and involve the public before making such impactful decisions. Learning and smooth mobility must come first,” he said.

CURRENT IMPACT AND TIMELINE ISSUES

Residency Road is a key commercial and transport corridor in Bengaluru’s Central Business District (CBD). It is bordered by landmarks such as MG Road Metro Station and Cubbon Park, and connects major junctions that are key to connectivity to all parts of the city. The arterial road also plays a crucial role in the city’s economy and traffic flow.

Three weeks in, the ongoing construction has led to traffic disruptions, safety concerns and complaints from local businesses and residents about the timing. “Why now, when the rains have already started? Why not two months ago when the heat was there?” questioned Kevin Beck, a local resident.

According to BBMP officials, the work is being done now to finish before schools reopen in June and to avoid further road damage during the upcoming monsoon season. “This is necessary work. It may cause inconvenience now, but it will benefit the public in the long run,” said Santosh, Assistant Executive Engineer with BBMP.

“You can’t always know what lies beneath. If we hit a utility line or drain, we have to stop and fix it,” said Assistant Executive Engineer Santosh. “But we are committed to finishing before the rains intensify.”

“To ease traffic disruption, we have implemented a vehicle diversion plan. Notices were published in newspapers, updates shared in local WhatsApp groups and announcements posted on Instagram. Regular commuters were informed from day one to use alternative routes. Clear signboards, banners and route instructions have been placed to guide the public,” said Traffic Sub-Inspector Harish Kumar when asked about traffic disruption.

A student from St Joseph’s College of Law, located on Residency Road, shared her ordeal since the white-topping began. “We are struggling to report to college by 8:00 am because of the heavy traffic congestion caused by the road blockage near Mayo Hall. The increased traffic has also raised the noise from outside, creating constant disturbance and affecting our ability to focus in class. The ongoing construction has worsened air quality as well. To add to this, flooding has made commuting to and from college even more difficult and dangerous,” she explained.

MID-PROJECT CHANGES AND COMPLICATIONS

Waterlogging concerns raised by residents and the local MLA have prompted changes to the plan midway through the project. According to Santosh, other BBMP engineers had to pivot from white-topping to addressing the stormwater drain network first. Residents and shop owners argue that this decision to white-top a “perfectly functional road” has led to unnecessary chaos.

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board removing and replacing small water pipes with larger ones at the same time has led to further digging and delays.

For local businesses, such as restaurants, cafs and retail outlets, the construction has translated into falling customer traffic, blocked entrances and logistical headaches.

Residents have also raised concerns about public safety, pointing to exposed cables, uneven surfaces and open pits. “They have put the safety sign there, right next to the electrical box,” said Kevin, pointing out the error of the decision.

The BBMP also clarified that it wasn’t working on the Mayo Hall Y-junction, which connects the eastern and western parts of the city and witnesses high traffic at almost all times. This complexity has led to the decision to take up white-topping of that portion in a later phase.

Interdepartmental coordination also appears to be lacking. With the BBMP, BWSSB and traffic police each playing different roles in the project, accountability has been difficult to trace.