Buck passing begins: Police says one way was BATF's idea

The traffic police is passing the buck on the one-way system to everyone favourite whipping boy, BATF. First signs of acknowledgement that the system is a colossal failure? Though I would say its a failure in execution not conception.

Watch on traffic flow, changes if needed
Commuters, motorists and businessmen on the one-way roads see no end to congestion.

Deccan Herald

Four days after the implementation of the new one-way system on six major roads in Bangalore, the traffic police claimed that the new system would ease congestion on these roads.

Speaking to Deccan Herald on Tuesday, Deputy Commissioner of police, Traffic (East) M A Saleem said that the new one-way system had been implemented based on studies conducted by the Bangalore Agenda Task Force (BATF). The one-way system will ease the traffic congestion on these roads, he claimed. The new one-way system has been implemented on an experimental basis and the traffic police is analysing the traffic flow on these roads, he added.

Mr Saleem said the volume of traffic on Residency Road was as high as 9,000 Passenger Car Unit (PCU) while on Richmond Road the traffic volume was 8,000 PCU. The system will be modified after looking into the problems, he added. The public will face confusion initially which will be resolved as they get used to the new system, Mr Saleem said.

Those using the public transportation on Residency and Richmond Roads are affected with implementation of the new one-way system.

Bus stops on these roads have been shifted to other locations. The public will have to now walk more than half-a-kilometre to board BMTC buses.

Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation Chief Traffic Manager (Operations) Dastagir Sheriff said there were a number of complaints from the public and the BMTC had relocated the bus stops. He said only a few BMTC buses plied on these roads as movement of heavy vehicles had been restricted.

However, a cross-section of commuters, residents and commercial establishment owners are opposing the new system.

Mr Chris S Jonathan, a hotel owner said, “I really don’t think one-ways are needed. There was not much problem on Richmond Road and whenever there was traffic congestion, it used to get cleared immediately. Congestion occurs only during peak hours. With the new system, people have to driving longer to reach their destinations. One-way traffic will aggravate congestion and add confusion in some other places.”

Amanathullah Khan, a mechanic at a bike repair shop on Double Road said, “ the new one-way system will cause more congestion at already congested places. It would be a disadvantage to customers of all business establishments located on the one-way. And for delivery trucks, it will be a mess.”

Ramanna, a retired civil engineer said, “Who are the police placating — I have never seen anything implemented so fast. No public hearings, just decide to make roads one-way and go ahead.”