Running for a better road

Running for a better road
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: It’s all about relocating a slum and a small temple on Parappana Agrahara Road off Naganathapura junction and allowing a part of NICE road to function to ease traffic on the choked Hosur Road. But, as usual, nothing has been done. Inaction here has been so frustrating that more than 1,000 techies took out a ‘run’ to wake up the authorities.
The corporate run, organized by the Electronic City Industries Association (ECIA) on the Republic Day, saw hundreds of users of the Hosur Road sending a tough message. The run, a 3.5 km and 7 km one, that began from the toll gate of NICE Road, just across Hosur Road, was flagged off by Lead India finalist R K Misra.
The ‘Run for Bangalore city’ stressed the need for a comprehensive infrastructure policy and completion of projects. “The NICE road connects South Bangalore to Tumkur Road and is convenient for commuters from Kanakapura and Bannerghatta. But a small stretch — approximately 400 metres — on NICE road has not been completed, affecting smooth flow of traffic. Some professionals have quit jobs not being able to take this,” claimed ELCIA member Rama N S.
The run began at 9 am and had a participation of 1,150 people. Many of them said they were “direct victims” of crumbling infrastructure. Aruna Newton, a corporate honcho, has been using Hosur Road for nine years now. Though a cervical spondylitis patient, she ran 3.5 km. “I am on Cloud Nine. We have placed our demands in style. Being a regular commuter between Indiranagar and Electronics City, I have faced real problems on this stretch. Pedestrians cross the road without any safety arrangements at more than 10 junctions. We don’t want to antagonize anybody, but the reality is we spend four hours a day on this stretch.’’ RUN FOR BETTER ROAD No time for kids, rue IT women
Bangalore: Many IT professionals have been facing the brunt of the bad stretch on the Hosur Road. Women professionals said: “Eight hours at work and four hours on road ... there is hardly any time to spend with our children. S h o u l d we wait till weekends to speak to our children,’’ a participant asked. The ECIA has employed at least 50 traffic wardens on Hosur Road. “We are concerned about repeated accidents here. Commuters have found the arrangement useful,’’ ECIA member Rama said.
Misra criticizes system
Lead India finalist R K Misra, who flagged off the event, criticized the authorities for poor decision-making. He compared the run with Dandi March. “This run is just a beginning. The association will try to meet the governor soon. It is shameful that an almost completed project has not been thrown open to the public. This is a clear example of mismanagement of infrastructure projects,’’ he said.
DEMANDS
Better connectivity between Hosur Road and the new international airport
Completion of NICE Road to connect South Bangalore and Electronic City
Completion of Outer Ring Road near Sarjapur
Connectivity from Mehkri Circle to the international airport