Sat Sep 13 16:25:55 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a news article based on it:
**Summary:**
A school bus carrying 20 children nearly toppled after getting stuck in an open drain in Bengaluru. Following this incident, the East City Corporation Commissioner inspected the area and pledged to widen the road to 18 meters, prioritizing land acquisition through the Transferable Development Rights (TDR) scheme. Simultaneously, the commissioner addressed stormwater drain encroachments hindering rainwater flow to Varthur Lake, ordering immediate clearance and desilting. Meanwhile, civic activist Kiran Jeevan has urged the Chief Minister for durable road governance, emphasizing the public health and economic burden of pothole-ridden roads and advocating for climate-smart infrastructure investment.
**News Article:**
**Bengaluru Roads Under Scrutiny After School Bus Incident**
**Bengaluru, India – September 13, 2025** – Public outcry and renewed focus on Bengaluru’s infrastructure shortcomings have intensified after a school bus carrying 20 children nearly toppled on Balagere-Panathur Road when its wheel became lodged in an open drain.
Following the incident, East City Corporation Commissioner D.S. Ramesh visited the site and announced a priority plan to widen the road to 18 meters. Road widening has been delayed due to land acquisition issues, but the Commissioner assured the public that the process would be expedited using the Transferable Development Rights (TDR) scheme. He noted that some compound walls obstructing the work have already been removed, and widening has begun at the accident site.
The Commissioner also addressed concerns regarding stormwater drains along Balagere Road, where encroachments are impeding the flow of rainwater into Varthur Lake. He has ordered immediate removal of these encroachments and accelerated desilting efforts in areas like Devasandra and Pai Layout.
Adding to the pressure on city officials, civic activist Kiran Jeevan, founder of the “Namma Roads Matter” campaign, has penned a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, calling Bengaluru’s pothole-filled roads a “public health crisis” and an “economic burden.” Jeevan highlighted the link between poor road conditions and accidents, as well as respiratory illnesses caused by dust and pollution.
While acknowledging the government’s recent allocation of ₹1,100 crore for road upgrades, Jeevan urged the Chief Minister to ensure the funds are utilized to build climate-smart and sustainable infrastructure, rather than relying on temporary patchwork repairs that fail to withstand monsoon seasons.
The incident involving the school bus has amplified existing concerns about road safety and infrastructure in Bengaluru, prompting pledges of action from city officials and demands for long-term, sustainable solutions from civic leaders.
First Piper 