`Flyover has increased our woes'

`Flyover has increased our woes'
Service roads have become a nightmare for motorists, say residents
The Hindu

BANGALORE: Is the Banaswadi flyover meant to decongest traffic? A visit to the area will reveal that the traffic flow has worsened after the flyover was thrown open to the public some months ago.

The 25-ft wide flyover is just enough for one-way vehicle movement. But motorists have converted it into a two-way bridge.

While vehicles coming from the narrow stretches of the Kammanahalli Main Road zoom past the flyover from one side, vehicles from the ITC-Wheeler Road side also try to squeeze in through the narrow flyover. This results in traffic jams.

If that is not enough, motorists passing under the flyover have a tough time.

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), which is changing the water pipeline on the Marutiseva Nagar Main Road, dug up the un-metalled service roads on both the sides, according to the residents.

Potholes

"At least five or six two-wheeler riders skid and get injured every day. This is because the road has so many potholes that one cannot escape getting hurt while manoeuvring through it," said S. Mallappa, a textile shop owner near the flyover.

`Business hit'

Premnath, who runs a provision store near the flyover, said his business was bad because the dust from the `khucha' service roads deposited on the commodities inside the store. "Who wants to buy such items?"

While J.K. Narayanappa, an auto-driver in the area, said most of his friends had developed breathing problems and cough because of the dust, Uday Krishnan, an employee with the Railways said the stretch was worse than a "village road."

"The situation is worse when it rains. The roads become slushy and people dread to use the service roads. Neither the area corporator, K.B Mohan, nor the MP, H.T. Sangliana, have visited the area to know our problems," Mr. Krishnan said.

Traffic jams

Sabeena Rajanathan, residing in the Abhiya Reddy Layout in Banaswadi, felt that the flyover had only added to the traffic problems in the area.

"Traffic jams are common here as motorists criss-cross over the railway level crossing and the flyover. It is fun to watch the vehicle users manoeuvring through the flyover and service roads with all their patience. But one can imagine the situation if the rider is in a hurry to reach his destination," she said.

When contacted, Mr. Mohan, said the service roads would be asphalted only after the BWSSB completed the pipeline work.

Though the water board started work last year, it could not be completed because of the presence of rocks at the digging area, which obstructed work, he pointed out.

Another ramp

Mr. Mohan said work on the second phase of the flyover would begin soon and another ramp would be added to the existing flyover.

"The second ramp could not be constructed because of land acquisition problems. Now, the BMP has issued notices to the land owners to surrender the land as the flyover will be of no use without a second ramp," he said.

The BMP and the Railways jointly built the flyover at a cost of Rs. 8 lakhs.

Work on the second phase at a cost of Rs. 3.5 crores would soon start, he said and stressed that the Marutiseva Nagar Main Road would be fully ready by August.