Bengaluru: Govt Friday launched a pothole-filling exercise in one of Bengaluru’s VIP areas by deploying a jet-patcher — specifically used to spray-fill surface-level potholes without affecting traffic — on Devaraj Urs Road, which hosts MS Building (home to hundreds of bureaucrats and Karnataka Lokayukta) and just minutes from the twin Soudhas.Bengaluru development minister Krishna Byre Gowda picked this road to demonstrate the new machine and watched the exercise. The machine uses cold mix asphalt for repairs. Gowda said this machine would be useful for potholes that are not deep, but cautioned that no single method could address Bengaluru’s widespread pothole problem.The minister said hot-mix asphalt had limitations as it requires a roller and cannot be deployed frequently since it requires the full load. This technology will be extended to the other four city corporations based on its performance, he added.The stretch assumes significance as it connects Ambedkar Veedhi with Basaveshwara Circle and is used by thousands of govt officials and visitors to Vidhana Soudha, CAG office, Karnataka Information Commission, Karnataka Public Service Commission and Legislators’ Home.But for commuters, the problem has been less about the method of repair and more about how quickly repeated patches on this road deteriorate.“Roads in front of Vidhana Soudha are well maintained. Right behind it, we had to drive over potholes and patchwork every day. We have seen several repairs on this road, but the patches come off very soon. The situation is worse during rain,” said Rakesh S, a driver.“Potholes on this road would grow and cracks widen. But the unannounced pothole-filling exercise on Friday was a surprise,” an official working at MS Building said.Parking attendant Nagaraj said two-wheelers often fell after hitting potholes on the stretch. “All top officers drive through this road, but they did not have the concern to get it repaired and maintained well,” he said.GBA plans to deploy 5 jet-patcher machines from Sept 2026 to Sept 2027 to repair 14,041sqm road surface at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore. Repairing every square metre with this method costs Rs 1,448.
