1,000 buses trapped in snarl

1,000 buses trapped in snarl

The Hindu

All roads around Kempe Gowda Bus Station witnessed pile-up of vehicles

BANGALORE: Bangaloreans heading out for a holiday triggered huge traffic jams in the heart of the city on Thursday night. Many roads leading to the city's busy Majestic area were clogged as vehicles bound for the Kempe Gowda Bus Station and City Railway Station were caught in traffic jams.

Many missed their buses and trains, although they had booked tickets several days and in some cases, weeks in advance. Hundreds of frustrated travellers were seen walking towards bus station. About 1,000 KSRTC, BMTC and private buses were caught inside the Majestic area, unable to stir out. The traffic pile-up had extended to all the arterial roads in the western and central parts of the city, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), M.N. Reddi told The Hindu .

Traffic policemen had a tough time managing the vehicular movement, which was reduced to a crawl on many roads, particularly Kempe Gowda Road, J.C. Road and Hudson Circle. The traffic had to be released in phases by holding them up at certain junctions. A gridlock would have been the result if this had not been done, Mr. Reddi said. The traffic situation remained tight for three hours. The entire traffic police machinery was at work. But despite that, many who had to reach Majestic on time repented for overlooking the traffic delays.

With the situation expected to be the same on Friday and Saturday, the police urged people to start at least two hours early to reach the bus and railway stations on time. Similar traffic congestions had occurred in the past, when people made use of extended holidays. Majestic area was the epicentre of such traffic pile-ups.