Maze-like junctions are a nightmare

Maze-like junctions are a nightmare
Deccan Herald


Cauvery Theatre traffic junction and Palace Cross traffic junction lie at less than a kilometre to each other on the prominent Bellary Road. The traffic moving north on this stretch lead to some of the politically well known VIP locales of the city like Sadashivanagar, Dollars Colony, R T Nagar etc.

VIPs or not, the stretch between the two said points is very much Bangalore-like-a motorist’s nightmare and no less.

On a given day, the peak hour traffic between these two points is a crawl. Motorists spend a minimum of 10 to 15 minutes to clear it. Matters get worse every time the Palace Grounds opens its gates on the Ramana Maharishi Road side to events like a rock or a pop show, a consumer expo or its ilk, and political rallies. Long trail of vehicles crawling and screeching parallel to the compound wall of the National Tuberculosis Institute are also common sight on a movie releasing thanks to the Cauvery Theatre.


Maze

A pair of two-lane roads carrying traffic to and from Yeshwanthpur end via Bhashyam Circle, Sadashivanagar and another pair of two-lane roads carrying traffic to and from Hebbal end via Mekhri Circle intersect with a pair of three-lane roads carrying traffic towards the City and vice versa... phew! That may read like maze of a description for the Cauvery Theatre junction but it does not complete the picture. For included also is a one way traffic coming from the mostly residential Lower Palace Orchards 1st Main Road. The Palace Cross junction south of the three lane stretch leading towards Windsor Manor is intersected by a cross road leading to and from Vasanthnagar to the left and a one-way traffic from Kumara Park West on the right.

Between the two junctions, the traffic moving north to Mekhri Circle or Sadashivanagar also comes across a left turn towards Palace Guttahalli, Kumara Park West, Seshadripuram and Malleshwaram.

Manual control

ASI (traffic east) S Siddegowda whom Deccan Herald found on duty at the Cauvery Theatre junction, said there is no option but to resort to manual control during peak hours especially in the evening.

Pointing out to the large mud filled patches at the centre of traffic circle, he noted “Most of our mornings begin with filling potholes up. Otherwise motorists trying to avoid in heavy traffic can be risky.’

CITIZENS SPEAK

“Our problems began with the opening of the Mekhri Circle underpass. The traffic began piling up here, creating jams for 15 to 20 minutes. We need a flyover from here to Palace Cross”

Vijay Kumar Dave manager, Girias showroom Cauvery Theatre junction


“It would help if the cops did not resort to manual control. With traffic lights on, everyone gets a fair chance. Otherwise motorists get irked. Lane discipline should be followed”.

Amit Sarkar, corporate sales manager, Hyundai showroom, Cauvery Theatre junction

“The U-turn should be restored here (near Palace Cross) Removing it has created inconvenience for those plying towards Kumara Park, Seshadripuram, Malleshwaram etc”.

Shams (Owner of ‘Homework Interiors’, Palace Cross junction