Lingarajpuram’s RoB a bane rather than boon

Lingarajpuram’s RoB a bane rather than boon
The Times of India

Bangalore: Flyovers are meant to ease traffic. But the Road Over Bridge (RoB) at Hennur main road in Lingarajpuram disproves this theory. Thanks to the faulty planning and callousness of authorities, residents in the area are wondering if it’s a boon or bane.

The problems began when the RoB was thrown open to the public. The bridge is dangerously close to nearby buildings posing severe safety hazards. The scene under the bridge too is no different. Pedestrians use this heavily cratered and narrow potholed roads branching out of the main road. Traffic chaos is frequent. Three bus stops have been shifted due to the narrow road causing transport problems.

“Hawkers and vegetable vendors do business under the bridge without any qualms thereby congesting the area. There are ‘No Parking’ signs posted to avoid trespassing but it does not deter autorickshaw drivers and others from parking their vehicles there,’’ complained residents.

Moreover, non-functional street lights coupled with rainwater dripping on people from the bridge adds to the woes. “Why was the RoB opened in such haste? Contractors hurriedly finished the job and officials declared it open. As an honest taxpayer I feel that our hard earned money was used inappropriately,’’ complained Yasmeen Mazheruddin, a resident.

According to M A Saleem, DCP (traffic), east, the Hennur main road needs to be tarred and asphalted. “Unless BMP develops the road, we can not install ‘No Parking’ signs.”

The railway crossing on the main road is unmanned and traffic continues unabated without any vigilance from the Railways. “If the crossing is to be closed, an alternative should have been made for pedestrians to get to the other side,” says president, JAGO Federation, A Sivasankaran.

However, M Ramesh, senior divisional safety officer, South Western Railways, tells a different tale. “There is a person called a look-outman deputed in Lingarajapuram railway crossing from 7 am to 7 pm to regulate vehicular movement.”

OTHER PROBLEMS
l Many houses have not been numbered by authorities l Old underground drainage system not replaced l Inappropriate garbage disposal methods l Low-lying high tension electric wires of 66 KVA on the main road l Anti-social elements take advantage of poor lighting under the bridge