Jammed Junctions: Ananda Rao Circle

Jammed Junction

Most polluted, congested junction
Deccan Herald

Anand Rao Circle has earned the dubious distinction for not only being one of the most congested traffic junctions but also the most polluted one in the central business district of Bangalore.

Situated in the heart of the city, an estimated 18,000 vehicles (passenger car unit) pass through this junction every hour as it acts as the gateway for vehicles moving towards southern and eastern parts of Bangalore. Also, it is the only junction in the City where most Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses pass through.

With the entire traffic in Sheshadripuram diverted towards this junction recently, due to the ongoing project to construct an extra carriage way near the railway under-bridge in Nehrunagar, the density of traffic on this junction has increased manifold.

In fact, several initiatives by BMP to ease congestion in the past have failed. For
instance, the one-way traffic introduced on Subedar Chattram (SC) Road has drawn flak. Nor has there been any relief for motorists after the BMP remodelled the junction. “One-ways here have only succeeded in making roads in the junction unsafe, as motorists drive at high speed,” shop owners near the junction complained.

Private operators flourish
Despite traffic chaos, private bus operators have continued to flourish and they park buses right on the busy roads. Private buses block traffic on Sheshadri Road, S R Road and Race Course Road, especially during evening. Moreover, hundreds of commuters travelling in private buses congregate at this junction, causing traffic jams. Surprisingly, traffic policemen manning the junction always turn a blind eye to this problem.

Will flyover ease traffic?
Even as BDA is conducting studies on the feasibility of a flyover here, questions have been raised on the utility of such a structure. Construction of mini-flyovers (pass overs) near all congested junctions --as planned by BMP and BDA -- will only lead to chaos as it will increase the speed of vehicles, traffic experts fear.
Instead, experts suggest, BDA should construct a flyover, connecting several junctions at a stretch. In other words, the proposed flyover should connect Khoday Circle, Anand Rao Circle and K R Circle.


POSSIBLE CURE
nDiverting traffic as much as possible.
nWidening of all roads connecting this junction.
nDedicated lanes for buses.
nConstruction of a flyover, connecting Khoday, Anand Rao and
K R Circle.

RESPONSE
We invite our readers to suggest ways of overcoming the traffic snarls. You may e-mail your suggestions to editordh@deccanherald.
co.in or snail mail to 75,
M G Road, Bangalore-560001.

USERS SPEAK
Ramesh, a shop owner
There is an increase in speed of vehicles after the introduction of a one-way on Sheshadri Road and SC Road, while the condition of roads have turned bad to worse.
No project will be of any use unless traffic flow is diverted to other areas.

Nanjundaiah, government employee
It is high time to implement dedicated lane systems, especially at junctions like Anand Rao Circle and K R Circle. Traffic gets mixed up, leading to congestion. Dedicated lanes will not only bring in traffic discipline but also bring down the accident rate.

Shekar, a motorist
Private buses operators should be shifted from this junction.
This, if done, will prevent a large number of people coming towards this junction and ease congestion.
Neither the flyover nor an underpass will be a solution for this problem.

Swami, auto-rickshaw driver
While there has been a steady increase in traffic density, all roads connected to this junction have remained narrow for many years, which has led to congestion. All roads should be widened, besides banning commercial activities near this junction.

Ganesh, a shop owner
All government offices located near the junction should be shifted to other places, paving the way for widening of existing roads.
This will be a huge relief, especially during peak hours.