Bengaluru: Road repairs begin after near-tragedy on Panathur Road, this is a NewsFirst impact

Swift action follows a NewsFirst report highlighting the dangerous condition of the Belagere–Panathur road, where stagnant water and potholes posed a major safety threat. Repair work began this morning with a JCB deployed by the GBA to clear water blockages and level the stretch. Workers are arranging channels for water to flow smoothly while temporarily filling potholes to prevent further mishaps.

Also read: School bus falls into pothole near Panathur: Bengaluru’s pothole crisis turns dangerous

The urgency of the work comes after two accidents were narrowly averted at the same spot. In one incident, a goods auto leaned dangerously to one side after slipping into a pothole. The moment was captured exclusively on NewsFirst cameras, underscoring the severity of the issue.

Private school bus carrying over 20 children tilted into a roadside drain

The more alarming event occurred around 7:54 am today when a private school bus carrying over 20 children tilted into a roadside drain after being thrown off balance by standing water. Eyewitnesses described a tense atmosphere as the bus leaned for several minutes, raising fears it might overturn. Quick-thinking by the driver, who halted the bus and evacuated the children through the emergency exit, averted what could have been a major disaster. All children were rescued safely.

The back-to-back incidents have highlighted the dire need for permanent road repair in the Panathur area. Local residents are demanding immediate long-term solutions beyond temporary soil fillings to ensure the safety of commuters, particularly school children, on this busy route.