No panacea yet for Adugodi Road users

No panacea yet for Adugodi Road users
Deccan Herald

Bad news for regular users of Adugodi Road, dreaming of a ‘happy journey’ from M G Road towards Hosur and vice versa. It will take at least three months more to rid this stretch of the choking traffic through road widening.

Bad news for regular users of Adugodi Road, dreaming of a ‘happy journey’ from M G Road towards Hosur and vice versa. It will take at least three months more to rid this stretch of the choking traffic through road widening.

In the hope of a miracle happening some day, commuters unfailingly take this so called ‘main road’ to get to the heart of the City or the IT corridor. The construction of flyovers at the Central Silk Board junction and Dairy Circle has not eased the traffic congestion on this road. A long, narrow stretch of road carrying high density traffic has resulted in Vellara Junction becoming over-crowded at peak hours, leaving commuters with little hope of getting anywhere in time.

With traffic spilling onto the other half of the road, vehicle users coming from the opposite direction are left with two choices - either slowing down to a crawl, or heading for a speedy getaway. Both options are, however, not feasible as slowing down means more traffic congestion, and speeding could cause accidents.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, M A Saleem, DCP Traffic (East) says that the load bearing capacity of the Adugodi road is 4,400 PCUs an hour, while the actual traffic load is 10,000 PCUs an hour. “There is a severe problem on this road as the traffic flow here is very heavy. Road widening is the only solution. We have around 10-12 constables posted just between Vellara and Forum Mall junctions, and the number is doubled on weekends, when all traffic personnel from the Ashoknagar limits are deputed here,” he added.

Road widening

Muninagappa, Superintendent Engineer, Road Widening, BMP, said that the Rs 14 crore project would begin once the tenders, called for on January 17, are opened. “We gradually acquired land on either side of the road on this five-kilometre stretch (Vellara Junction to Forum Mall junction), where we are planning a six lane road,” he said, adding that lands were acquired on Transferable Development Rights (TDR) basis.

“While the defence personnel have been more forthcoming, it is the residents who have taken a long time in giving their consent,” he said, adding that a park that was next to the mosque just before Vellara Junction was dug up by BWSSB to lay their lines.

“There are many utility services coming in our way. However, we have set ourselves a deadline of 90 days to finish the project once the tenders are opened. Traffic movement will not be disrupted as portions where work will be in progress will be barricaded,” he said. Work on the proposed underpass at Vellara Junction would also be taken up simultaneously.