Parsi Temple park destroyed for bus bay

BMP wakes up to chaos at junction

The Hindu

Work has begun on building two bus bays and four shelters at Parsi Temple bus stop


BANGALORE: The ordeal of bus commuters waiting at the Parsi Temple bus stop at Balekundri Circle will end soon. Bangalore Mahanagar Palike (BMP), in consultation with Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), is building two bus bays and four shelters at the junction. The project cost is estimated at Rs. 40 lakh.

Traffic jams

Known as "Express Stop", most of the BMTC buses originating from Shivajinagar and going towards various parts of the city have a stop at this junction.

Ever since the Central Street was made a one-way, BMTC buses coming out of the Shivajinagar Bus Stand have to pass through Balekundri Circle.

Waiting on pavement

Hundreds of commuters wait on the pavement for the buses in the absence of bus bays and shelters.

This causes chaos, especially when vehicles from Queen's Road are given way at Balekundri Circle's traffic signal.

BMTC buses invariably block the traffic, besides putting commuters to hardship. BMTC, to ease congestion on Queen's Road, has diverted to Ambedkar Veedhi all buses going towards Kempe Gowda Bus Stand.

The work, which was started a fortnight ago with the demolition of Parsi Temple Park, is progressing at a snail's pace.

BMP officials said they were in a dilemma whether to asphalt bays or put cement concrete.

Although cement concrete seems a better option, the officials concerned say the surface may become slippery in a year or two posing danger to commuters.

A senior engineer said the project would be completed in 20 days.