New one-ways strand motorists

The scene at Residency Road, which was made one-way on Saturday. Many people complained that confusion over one-ways made them wait for hours in the traffic.
Photo: The Times of India

New one-ways strand motorists
Civic Works Add To Woes On Residency, Richmond Roads
Times of India


Bangalore: Utter confusion prevailed on roads, including Richmond Road and Residency Road, which turned one-ways on Saturday, as motorists went round and round in search of their destination.

Despite police alerting people on the new rule, uncertainty loomed large on city roads till afternoon. The situation improved, slightly though, by the evening as officers, including senior policemen and volunteers drawn from various NGOs, guided people near junctions and intersections.

Apart from Richmond and Residency roads, Campbell Road, Magrath Road, Mid Street, Museum Road and surrounding areas had turned into one-ways from Saturday. Civil works and road cutting on some roads added to the choke-up. Two-wheeler riders, in particular, had to bear the brunt.

The acid test for the new one-ways, however, will be peak hours of Monday when roads will take the full might of vehicles after an easy weekend. The second Saturday of the month being a holiday for schools, government offices and MNCs, would make the trial on new routes less chaotic. Or so the police department had thought.

It will certainly not be easy for the traffic police either, who have begun the oneways on trial basis, experts pointed out. Pedestrians too had a difficult day on the road. They said the newly erected 10 road humps, which double up as pedestrian crossings, were just not enough.

BMTC buses were seen plying on narrow roads like Link Road, heading towards Symphony theatre junction and Public Utility Building from Residency Road. Vehicles parked along one side of the road and a bus stop on the other end are bound to make it one of the most crowded stretches in the city.

Bus and autorickshaw users termed the new rule “unfriendly”. Many complained that the confusion even “took them for a ride”.

Police maintain that the scene in front of Bishop Cotton Boys’ School and other roads where schools are located will be free after the one-way rule comes into effect properly. Traffic will not pile up near schools during school hours, police said.

“Initial confusion is common for any new programme, we’ll overcome them within a week,’’ a police officer said. Like the Ulsoor area, which settled down after a terrible week. Now, people are happy with the new rule, DCP Traffic (East) M.A. Saleem told Sunday Times of India. Though he was optimistic about the oneway rule on Richmond and Residency roads, he said necessary changes could be made after the feedback.

“While roads are not being widened, the number of vehicles and road users are increasing drastically. We have no choice other than making roads oneways. In the next phase, some roads in Shivajinagar area and Hosur Road will be made one-ways. This will further improve the situation, he added.

WHAT’S NEW?

•Unfriendly for bus commuters. No proper arrangements for bus stops.
•BMTC buses ply on narrow roads.
•Autorickshaw passenger unfriendly. Going round and round increases auto fare.
•Increase in fuel usage.
•Chaos on flyover and below.
•Insufficient pedestrian crossings.
•Insufficient policemen to educate road users on one-ways.
•On Saturday, people spent up to 2 hours or more on roads amidst confusion and chaos.
•Acid test is on Monday, when schools and offices reopen.
•New regulations introduced on trial basis, police will make modifications.
•Initial hiccups common whenever one-ways are introduced.