The Palikes unfinished business

BANGALORE: As one takes a drive through Bangalore, many people consider it a delight to look out of the window and find the vibrant paintings across the walls forming a myriad of colours and representing the rich history of Karnataka.Arguably, it has been one of the most innovative ideas that the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has come up with.From depicting kings to historical monuments to places of tourist importance, the paintings do not lag behind in any sphere. The most difficult task involved when it comes to the paintings was also handled very successfully by the concerned authorities.They have avoided defacement upto a large extent.The slight hassles with the same lies in the fact that a portion of the paintings on Jayamahal Road, in close proximity to the underpass, is undone. While the pictures have been sketched very beautifully, it is yet to see its splash of colours.Despite all the other paintings in the locality having been completed over a year ago, this gesture of incomplete work by the authorities has left people surprised.A pedestrian, on the condition of anonymity, remarked, “I wish they would go ahead and finish the work. The road looks very incomplete this way. Also, the sketches look so nice. So I can’t wait to see what it looks like when it is actually painted.”The sketches include several birds and historical sites.The only work that is left to be done is situated in and around the underpass.While the severe incoming flow of vehicles could be a reason for the incomplete work, the BBMP has successfully completed work in more risky areas such as the Mekhri Circle underpass etc.Ankit, a bus traveller, said, “We sit in the bus and look at those beautiful paintings. They keep us entertained. So the discontinuity in our mindless wanderings is not nice.”The chief engineer for BBMP (east zone), Suresh, was unavailable for comments.