Where are the circles?

Where are the circles?
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: The debate on renaming Bangalore has cooled down. Experts who were part of that debate have now suggested that the Government take a serious look at traffic circles which represent a proud past.

The city has quite a few circles, names of which take us back to the British Raj. While some circles have their own deserved history, a few have a controversial past. But over the years they have either vanished or lost their identity.

“Circles are part of the city’s heritage. They had well maintained gardens, lamp posts and colourful fountains. The circle in front of Town Hall was a good example. But unfortunately, it doesn’t exist now,” Arun Prasad, Research Head, Discover Bengaluru, told this website's newspaper.

“Retaining original names of circles is essential to preserve the heritage and unique character of Bangalore. But, the administration is not concerned,” he said.

Circles like other monuments are a link between the past and the present and need to be protected. “Many are not even aware that the correct way to spell Mekhri circle is with an ‘h’. The name commemorates Inayattullah Mehkri who laid the road from Hebbal till the circle at his own expense,” he said.

Eminent historian Suresh Moona stresses the need to preserve circles. “The original name of Anil Kumble Circle was Oriental Circle. We all have high regard for Anil Kumble, but the name Oriental came from an old building which is totally forgotten now.

The same is the case with the Prof. Shivashankar Circle at KR Road which was earlier known as Irwin Circle,” he said. Irwin was a viceroy. While, there are no circles in the eastern parts of the city, the south has retained some history. The traffic police consider circles as an old concept to manage traffic.

“In those days circles were useful in maintaining safe traffic movement. But with the sharp increase in vehicles, traffic signals have become inevitable,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) M A Saleem said.

Ramakrishna Ashram Circle now faces the threat of extinction as a a flyover may come up there.