Is the one-way plan a failure?

Crossing cuts into chaos

Deccan Herald

The sudden applying of brakes and the uncertainty of motorists whether they are headed in the right direction have made Richmond Road flyover a highly accident-prone zone. The situation becomes even worse during the night because of speeding vehicles.

The density of traffic over the flyover has also increased manyfold. Now, questions are being raised whether the traffic police authorities did their homework well, in terms of survey and scientific study, or went in for the one-ways, just out of the blue.

The ‘scissor-crossing’ on top of the flyover is a glaring instance of lack of homework. Those climbing the flyover on Richmond Road to reach K H Road (Double Road) are instead ending up at Subbaiah Circle.

And motorists from K H Road, are landing on Residency Road. Motorists in both directions are confronted with the scissor-crossing, which is puzzling both the flyover users and traffic managers. Some moto-rists who take U-turns to avoid getting misled are only adding to the congestion.

Installing a signal on the flyover, is itself unusual. “Nowhere in the country is there a signal on a flyover. This U-turn is an additional headache”, motorbike rider Mallikarjun told Deccan Herald.

Questions are being raised whether the flyover is strong enough to withstand the additional load, that is being forced on it due to heavy traffic.

According to a flyover consultant, flyovers are designed in a way that it can withstand two-and-half times, its own weight. But it is not known as to how much additional weight this flyover is currently taking.

Policemen’s plight
Traffic policemen posted on the flyover have their own cup of woes. Managing traffic on a flyover is a new task in itself. Currently, members of ECHO (Empowerment Children Human Rights Organisation), an NGO, are voluntarily assisting the traffic authorities.

The volunteers and traffic constables have had a tough time, in the last two days. Answering nature’s call, having food and even access to drinking water is becoming difficult to cope with, not to speak of the direct exposure to scorching heat during the day and biting cold in the night.