Welcome to Vijayanagar and traffic chaos

Welcome to Vijayanagar and traffic chaos
The Times of India

Bangalore: This was the city’s entrance when Kempegowda founded Bangalore. But this “Vijayanagara Hebbagilu’’ which was once considered the boundary of the city has, over the decades, grown into one of the biggest areas of the city. Once credited with major link roads, this boon has become a bane now due to heavy traffic cutting through this area.

The West of Chord Road, one of the longest link roads in the city that connects Mysore Road with Tumkur Road, is perennially clogged. With 18 intersections and more than 11 signals, there seems to be no solution to the traffic chaos on West of Chord Road. The road has too many intersections, junctions, stoppage points, bus stops, under-developed service roads and protruding tree branches.

“Being the entrance of Bangalore and due to its proximity to Mysore Road, Vijayanagar is teeming with vehicles. To avoid heavy traffic on main roads, small vehicles use residential bylanes. Hence, even residential areas have become chaotic. We had the worst period when grade separators at Rajajinagar entrance and Modi Hospital were being constructed. It had a cascading effect on traffic flow in Vijayanagar,’’ complained S Sukumaran Ramesh, a resident of Maruti Mandir.

The Modi Road-Chord Road junction and Magadi Road-Chord Road junction are the most dangerous spots in the area, which witness most accidents. To tackle the problem, the Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited had planned to construct a steel flyover at Mysore Road-Chord Road junction, but the project was a damp squib.

Several parts of Vijayanagar suffer from water scarcity, and during summer, the residents depend on water supplied by tankers. “Though the BWSSB has laid new water lines, the pressure is low and hence the supply is inadequate. We have complained to the area corporator and also raised the issue in the Water Adalat held here. But the situation is the same,’’ pointed out Hema Nair.

Another problem plaguing this area is its bus stand, a perennially noisy one. The residential dwellings around the bus stand have no other option but to live in chaos. In the recent past, some areas have been facing problems of flooding during rains, thanks to the Vrishabhavathy valley, that swells during rains and floods adjoining areas.

Garbage clearance is not efficient in many areas and overflowing garbage bins on the main roads are a common sight. “Garbage clearance is irregular, especially in areas situated close to the road overbridge. The stench of rotting garbage is unbearable, and we are forced to keep our windows and doors closed,’’ said Muneer Bashir who lives near the bus depot.

Problems in a nutshell
Traffic chaos: link roads have become a bane as heavy vehicles cut through Vijayanagar. Water problems in several areas. Irregular garbage clearance. Unasphalted roads.