Bengaluru: A day after TOI highlighted the problems faced by pedestrians on a dusty road, in a report titled ‘Strait of Frazer: Choke point gives commuters a dusty ride’, the civic authorities swung into action and cleaned up Netaji Road near Cantonment area and Frazer Town railway parallel road.Residents on Friday reported initial improvements after months of enduring road excavation and severe dust pollution caused by Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) pipeline work. Authorities have begun clearing accumulated sand and debris from dug-up portions — an issue locals had flagged repeatedly.While the response remains partial, residents acknowledged that the report brought attention to their concerns. Khalid Quraishi, a shopkeeper, said cleaning activities began soon after the issue gained visibility. “Cleaning was being done, but it has stopped now because of the rain. At least for now, the dust around my area has settled,” he said, pointing to temporary relief.Zafar Mannat, a local tailor, echoed similar views. “They started removing the sand and dust after the issue came out, but because of rain, the work has paused,” he said.Despite the progress, residents remain wary that the measures may not address the root of the problem. Cleaning has been carried out only on select stretches, leaving large portions of Netaji Road still affected.Officials of Greater Bengaluru Authority, meanwhile, said BWSSB has been instructed to expedite the pending works to ensure road restoration is completed before the onset of monsoon.— Nyasa Gupta & Jia Khosla
