Bengaluru repairs roads for upcoming Karaga festival

Bengaluru's civic body, BBMP, is rushing to finish road work before the annual Karaga festival, which takes place from April 4 to 14. With only two weeks left, the special commissioner has ordered the engineering department to speed up projects to ensure the festival goes smoothly. A meeting was held with officials from BBMP, the police, and the festival committee to discuss the preparations. They noted the urgent need to repair roads and sidewalks along the procession route. Many streetlights along this route are not working, which could lead to safety issues for the large crowds expected this year. The Karaga procession covers 23 kilometers and passes through busy areas in the city. Local temple president K Satish expressed doubt that BBMP would finish the necessary work in time. He mentioned that there are over 40 potholes along the route, some quite deep, which could cause injuries. Festival organizers have also raised concerns about the lack of facilities for festivalgoers. They highlighted that last year, the crowd reached 18 to 20 lakh, much higher than typical attendance. This year, with the expected turnout, safe and functional streetlights are crucial, but many areas remain dark due to maintenance issues.