Bengaluru: Six months after white-topping and pipeline-shifting work began on JC Road, the 1.5-km stretch between Town Hall and Minerva Circle remains a construction nightmare. Traders, commuters, and residents are battling dust, traffic snarls, and delays, with no clear end in sight.The project, jointly undertaken by the BBMP and BWSSB on Dec 1, 2024, has seen repeated digging for stormwater drain and sewage pipeline work. Authorities had promised completion by May 31, but the road is far from ready.“At ground zero, the air is thick with dust,” Ravikumar, a traffic constable stationed on JC Road, said. “We can’t come here without a mask. If you do, you’ll fall sick. Traffic is jammed all the time and we’re struggling to control the flow.”Shopkeepers report a sharp dip in business as footfall dries up. “Customers don’t want to stop here — there’s no parking and the dust is unbearable,” said Manjunath, owner of Battery Power (Aiwa). “My business has dropped by 75%. For a whole month, I kept the shop open for just an hour a day.”Srikanth of Mega Imaging Systems echoed the sentiment and said traffic used to be heavy only during peak hours earlier. “Now it’s bumper-to-bumper all day. I’ve had to cover all my machines — the dust will ruin them otherwise,” he added.Even eateries are struggling as Praveen Shetty of Udupi Sagar Hotel, points out: “We sprinkle water and lay green mats, but customers still don’t want to eat here.”Trustwell Hospital, located on the stretch, has raised red flags about blocked access and health risks. “Our main entrance is dug up, and we’re relying on a single, narrow gate which is also partially blocked,” said Prashanth MV, chief operating officer. “This isn’t just inconvenient — it’s dangerous. There’s dust, noise, and rising infections. Elderly patients and visitors are facing serious trouble.”Residents say the footpaths are treacherous. “It’s difficult to even walk. Minor accidents happen often because of uneven surfaces,” said Kumar, a resident. —Prathikaa V Shastry & Raksha Hosur Pradeep
