Incomplete projects add to motorists woes

Incomplete projects add to motorists woes
By Fathima Sumaya Khan.DHNS,Bangalore:
the total PCU (Passenger Car Units) per hour at the Malleswaram Junction is 10,387 and the congestion index is 1.85 (locations with an index that exceeds 1 require corrective measures) during peak hours,according to a recent study,

Increasing traffic bottlenecks and slow-paced infrastructure projects in Bangalore have only added to motorists’ woes. A classic example is Bangalore West, which continues to be weighed down by long-winding projects taken up by civic authorities.
According to a recent study, the total PCU (Passenger Car Units) per hour at the Malleswaram Junction is 10,387 and the congestion index is 1.85 (locations with an index that exceeds 1 require corrective measures) during peak hours.
Pending projects
Motorists coming from the Majestic area are forced to take a left turn near Sampige theatre to reach Rajajinagar. Long traffic snarls are common on Pampa Mahakavi Road, due to the slow progress in the construction of an underpass at Malleswaram Circle.
Though the BBMP started work on the Rs 16.41 crore underpass in May 2006, it had to be stopped for five months due to opposition by residents. The work restarted only in December 2006.
Even as the work on the underpass is on, Sampige Road was opened for traffic on November 5. According to BBMP Commissioner S Subramanya, the underpass, which was to be scheduled to be ready in November 2007, would be completed only in February 2008.
The other project which is progressing slowly is grade separator at Yeshwantpur Circle. Only 19 per cent work has been completed. As of October this year, the expenditure on the project has been Rs 212.30 lakh. The deadline for completion of the grade separator is March 2008.
The PCU in Yeshwantpur Circle varies between 11,000 and 12,000 during peak hours. The traffic on Bangalore-Pune national highway, Malleswaram 8th Main Road, C V Raman Road and Triveni Road, is badly affected because of the slow pace of work.
Delay

Sources in the Palike expressed doubts on timely completion of these projects, as a large chunk of work remains pending.
The Bangalore Development Authority had, in June last year, taken up a 530.35-metre underpass at the junction of Magadi Road-Chord Road, with a four-lane divided carriageway at a cost of Rs 31.86 crore.
It was scheduled to be completed by May 2007, but work is still on.
Magadi Road has a PCU figure of 9,600 during peak hours. It looks like motorists have a long wait before they get respite from the chaos.