20 roads identified for auto-laning

20 roads identified for auto-laning
Deccan Herald

The dedicated auto lane, introduced a few years ago on M G Road, may not be regarded as ‘successful’ by motorists who have to jostle with autodrivers for road space on this stretch. However, for the Bangalore Traffic Police, it seems to be working as an inspiration.

In the coming days, two roads — Airport Road and a part of Kempegowda Road — will have dedicated auto lanes. The District Office Road, on K G Road, stretching from Corporation Circle to Mysore Bank Circle, will have an auto lane.

In fact, a barricaded auto lane has already been put in place on Tank Bund Road around BMTC and KSRTC bus stands at Majestic. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic-East) M A Saleem, the arrangement, introduced a week ago, is on a trial basis. Two more roads will be added after a government notification is given on the same, likely in a couple of weeks, he added.

As many as 20 roads have been identified for auto laning, where the system will be introduced in a phased manner.

In the II phase of auto laning, Ramana Maharshi Road, Sankey Road, Race Course Road, 100 Feet Road, Indiranagar, CV Raman Road, Residency Road and Cubbon Road are likely to be included.

“We are looking at introducing dedicated auto lanes because we have found that autorickshaws are largely responsible for slowing down the speed of other vehicles. With auto-rickshaws removed from some of the lanes, the rest of the traffic movement will be faster. We are going to introduce this system on those stretches which are wide and have no right turns,” M N Reddy, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic and Security) explained.

Incidentally, auto laning is part of the CM 10 point B-Trac 2010 programme launched a few months ago for the improvement of the City traffic.