Bengaluru: Pothole claims another life, woman pillion rider crushed to death

Damaged roads in Bengaluru have become a nightmare for two-wheeler riders as a 47-year-old woman died in an accident on Sunday. Three people have died in a week due to city's damaged roads and potholes. According to reports, Bengaluru has more than 15,000 potholes. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has taken serious note of the deaths and set a 15-day deadline to fix all the potholes in the capital. Bengaluru's municipal corporation has been asked to take immediate steps in this regard.

Radha Ajanappa was riding pillion on a scooter when her nephew Ravi too turn to avoid a big pothole on the arterial Mysuru road. Just then a lorry brushed against the two-wheeler. Ravi lost control of the scooter and the wheel of a truck ran over Radha Ajanappa's neck and she died instantly. 

The family has blamed the state government for negligence. Family members have accused that no diversion instructions were issued and this led to the accident. 

Earlier, just days before, a Tamil Nadu road transport bus knocked down Anthony Joseph, 55 and his Sagai Mary, 53, who were trying to negotiate a pothole when the bus hit their scooter. 

Bengalur's bad roads could be an election issue in the state assembly elections due next year and the Congress party has reportedly warned the chief minister to stem the damage as soon as possible and repair all the roads in the state capital. 

The condition of the roads here have deterioated immensely during the monsoon and frequent flooding over the last few months. Municipality claims that city's 14,000 km road network has more than 15,000 potholes now and this all can be fixed once the rain stops. Now, the municipality needs to work hard to meet the deadline.