TIMES CIVIC CHAMARAJPET

TIMES CIVIC CHAMARAJPET
NT Pet lies in ruin
The Times of India

Bangalore: The growing traffic in the city has put motorists and pedestrians through nightmarish experiences on an everyday basis. And the New Tharagupet (NT Pet) area of Chamarajpet constituency is no exception.
The ancient major trading hub of wholesalers and retailers is in a pathetic condition. Thanks to the innumerable number of problems it faces.
“Goods vehicles have taken over the entire area. The flow of vehicles starts early in the morning and goes on till late evening. Loading and unloading of goods obstruct traffic flow. There is no space left for commuting and parking other vehicles. Our business is running under loss as customers who visit the area once are so disgusted that they refuse to come back. Damaged narrow roads along with garbage accumulated all over worsen the situation,’’ says Harshad Shah, secretary of Bangalore Kirana Merchants’ Association.
The traders also complain about ineffective traffic police monitoring. “Streamlining the traffic flow and making maximum use of the available space in the right manner is the only solution to these problems. There should be adequate traffic surveillance in the area. The situation can be brought under control to a large extent if we can get rid of the bullock carts, push carts and cattle roaming on the roads,’’ say traders.
DCP west (traffic) Rama Subba admits that it is difficult to regulate traffic here.
“NT Pet is a business area and it’s difficult to tackle the movement of vehicles. Heavy vehicles like lorries and trucks cause major problems. Either they should be banned from entering the interior roads or some other solution has to be thought of. We will take some measures soon to ease traffic congestion.’’ he said.
Auto drivers demanding extra fare is another problem. “People end up paying Rs 10 to Rs 15 extra as autos refuse to ply to this area. It’s extremely difficult to travel by autos in NT Pet and the nearby areas even during the day,’’ rues Nisha Jain, a resident.
CORPORATORSPEAK
“I am disappointed with NT Pet. The roads, drainage system and garbage disposal methods need to be looked into.There is a tender under process since two months for development of civic amenities starting from city market to Mysore Road covering NT Pet area. But BMP is carrying out work at a slow pace. I have contacted the commissioner and concerned authorities many times but nothing seems to speed up the work.There is no solution to curb traffic congestion.’’ — Kokila Chandrashekhar Next: Banaswadi