It’s hell for pedestrians on this road

It’s hell for pedestrians on this road
Deccan Herald

Be prepared for the worst if you have to either cross this road or catch a bus here. Or, this is what students of Jayachamarajendra Government Polytechnic on the busy Sheshadri Road -- between Kantharaja Urs Circle and K R Circle -- have to say.

Non-stop flow of vehicles, lack of designated bus stops and narrow footpaths have turned this stretch of the famous Sheshadri Road into a notorious one. Students and elderly people are seen running with their foot in their mouth against fast-moving vehicles to cross the road or to board buses.

Ever since one-way traffic was introduced on this stretch, the traffic flow has become very fast, and it is impossible to negotiate the vehicles to cross the road. While some agile students make an attempt, others walk up to either Kantharaja Urs Circle or K R Circle to take the safer Zebra Crossing.

In fact, K R Circle is the first stop for all BMTC buses (after the main Kempegowda bus stand) that ply towards eastern and southern parts of the City. Besides, thousands of people who visit various Government offices in the vicinity come here to board City buses, making it one of the busiest places. It is the road that connects north and south corridors of Bangalore. With huge trees blocking the narrow pedestrian path on either side, people are forced to walk on the road. The stretch houses the Agriculture Department, Department of Collegiate Education, Jayachamarajendra Government Polytechnic, Pre-University Department and a host of other State Government offices.

With several of BMTC buses vying to stop at a time here, motorists will have to ride in between them. Owing to rush of traffic, two-wheelers riders many a times won’t be able to take left turn (towards Vidhana Soudha) and the road that leads to Cubbon Park at all.

A wide speed-breaker that was recently put up in front of Jayachamarajendra Government Polytechnic has turned to be a nuisance, as students riding bikes almost fly over it, says a student at the college.

CITIZENS SPEAK

Murali (final year Diploma student of JCP): It takes 10 to 15 minutes for one to reach the other end of the road. It is risky to run between vehicles.

Kavitha (I year student of the Polytechnic): Buses do not stop at all here and it is very dangerous to run between the heavy traffic on road.

Venugopal (II year student of the Polytechnic): Pedestrian path on either side is blocked by huge trees and there is no space to walk at all.

OFFICIAL SPEAK

M A Abdul Saleem, DCP, Traffic, (Bangalore East): Traffic volume is very high at this stretch and one-way was introduced in order to ensure fast traffic movement at this crucial point.

As part of the recommendations made before converting this stretch into one-way, we had asked BMP to construct a bus bay here and also widen the footpath, while BMTC was asked to put up a bus shelter. But they have not done it yet.