A road she took every day: Medha’s death puts Bengaluru’s damaged roads under scrutiny

On a routine day, 32-year-old Medha Akarsh, an Employees' Provident Fund Organisation employee from Kerala, met her demise on the Ananth Nagar Main Road in Bengaluru. Her journey to work -- a path she traversed daily -- came to a harrowing end when a mini goods vehicle struck her as she was a pillion rider on a two-wheeler. The accident transpired around 9 am near Hebbagodi, leaving her fatally wounded.

Medha's colleague, Ajay Guru, and her death have brought the residents of Ananth Nagar onto the streets, with many expressing their distress over the poor condition of the roads in the area.

According to police, Medha's journey took a tragic turn when the two-wheeler she was a pillion rider on skidded, prompting Medha’s colleague Ajay Guru to apply the brakes. The sudden stop caused Medha to come under the wheels of an approaching mini goods vehicle. She was transported to the hospital but succumbed to her injuries.

Guru’s brother expressed that the two had been using the Ananth Nagar stretch regularly as other roads in the vicinity were in disrepair due to underground drainage and Cauvery water pipeline works.

Residents have been raising concerns about the poor state of roads around Ananth Nagar, citing several stretches affected by the pipeline and drainage works. This stretch connects residents to the Metro, the Hebbalige railway station, schools, hospitals, and workplaces, leaving Ananth Nagar Road as one of the relatively accessible routes.

Kripa Varghese, a resident and dentist, mentioned that she and other residents had earlier approached authorities for repairs, holding a protest around six months ago. However, despite assurances that repairs would be completed before the rains, the road conditions have only worsened.

The municipal authorities have acknowledged the residents' concerns and are attempting to address the issue. Municipal Commissioner Rajendra B L met with protesting residents on Thursday, discussing their concerns and assuring them that the ongoing road works will be completed soon. He stated that the works, linked to the Cauvery water pipeline project, would be completed in due time, after which footpaths and other affected portions would be repaired.

However, the accident has reignited Bengaluru's broader road issues, with authorities reporting thousands of unattended potholes and a persistent road-maintenance problem city-wide.