Koramangala’s one-way maze a boon for bovines

Koramangala’s one-way maze a boon for bovines
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: The one-way maze that took residents of Koramangala by surprise has not yielded good results. The system imposed on Sarjapur road and Hosur road nearly two months back, has helped stray cattle to use the road more efficiently than motorists.

The vegetable market located on the service road of Sarjapur road, that connects to Hosur road, is turning into a major problem for motorists. Due to the market, people from nearby areas venture into the area, park cars and motorcycles on the main road causing traffic congestion.

If this is not enough, the huge pile of garbage on the road attracts bovines. Suresh, a software engineer residing in Koramangala says, “Stray cattle are creating trouble. They come right in front of moving vehicles, posing a threat to themselves as well as the motorists. Chances of accidents are very high.”

Arti, working in Electronic City says, “There is no way one can avoid these roads. We are taking a great risk by driving here as the road is occupied by pedestrians, garbage and animals. People literally come and stand on the main road to board buses.” DCP Traffic, East, M.A. Saleem said,” The purpose of introducing one-ways was to keep the vendors away from the main road. We had plans of shifting the market from the current location” he said. However, the BCC that had pledged to shift the market has turned a blind eye.

Meanwhile, residents of nearby colonies have a different story to tell. The market on the Sarjapur road is located behind three residential colonies, Survey of India, CPWD quarters and Kudremukh. Residents are complaining of motorists using the colonies as short cuts.

A security guard said, “Men are deployed at each gate to check on motorists. But it is highly difficult to differentiate between a stranger and a resident. Many use colonies as a shortcut to reach the Madiwala road.” Residents and motorists say, they are caught between the ‘devil and the deep sea’.