Manic Monday for motorists

Manic Monday for motorists
BDA Junction Underpass Construction Throws Traffic Out Of Gear
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: Underpass work at BDA junction caused traffic jams in the central areas, throwing traffic out of gear. Long stretches were jammed for more than 4 hours from morning to noon.
Monday morning blues hit office-goers hard despite the traffic police giving out maps and diversions well in advance. In fact, the police had a tough time controlling traffic, as motorists seemed undecided on which way to go.
Sankey Road handles nearly 6,000 passenger car units (PSU) during peak hour and 4,000 PCUs during normal hours. The construction of the underpass has increased PCUs flowing towards the junction.
The traffic on Race Course Road was hit with vehicles meandering through the heaps of mud and debris abutting a star hotel. Traffic on Sheshadri Road, Palace Road, Subedar Chatram Road, Majestic, Shivananda Circle in Sheshadripuram was badly affected. KH Double Road, Residency Road and Mission Road also bore the brunt with the traffic on Richmond Circle flyover moving at snail’s pace.
Monday’s traffic jams were a precursor to the travel conditions that will prevail until underpass work is completed, as the road near BDA junction will further be reduced to a single lane.
“Outsiders were the worstaffected on Monday. Since it was the first working day of the week, the impact was major. We have directed commuters to use smaller roads,’’ said traffic police officials.
Many commuters felt the traffic chaos was a part of the city’s development, but added that the ongoing construction should be carried out within the timeframe. The BBMP had earlier announced the underpass will be ready in 45 days. However, the traffic police said diversions will remain for at least 2 months.
“Apart from the construction, widening work on major roads has contributed to traffic snarls. The civic agency had announced the widening of 96 roads. Not even the 10% of them have been widened, which is the most crucial solution,’’ a traffic expert opined. Hebbal flyover brings the largest number of vehicles into the city, from Doddaballapur, Chikkaballapur, Jakkur and Devanahalli. Lorries coming from other states also use the same flyover to enter the city.
Work on day 2
The BBMP launched the precast elements after 10 pm on Monday. It has so far completed excavation works in coordination with BWSSB, which has shifted utilities like sewerage and water supply lines. Officials said unlike Cauvery junction, vehicles will be allowed on one side of the Bellary Road during the day time, while work load will be doubled at night. Pre-cast elements have been stocked near BDA junction to facilitate easy work. BBMP has promised to complete works on this junction in 45 days to provide the signal free road to the international airport.
This underpass has two components — 30 elements will be installed at the BDA junction and the remaining 15 will be installed at the Palace-Guttahalli junction. The latter will facilitate U-turn to Bashyam Circle-bound vehicles from Mehkri Circle.
Officials said so far, no problems were encountered while shifting utilities.
TRY THESE OUT Explore new roads. Take smaller roads through residential areas Avoid using major roads during peak hours. An extra ride of kilometre or a two can, in fact, save travel time Follow diversions strictly Ask the cop: Police personnel have been made aware of the topography and have been directed to help commuters

Gridlocked traffic at the Windsor Manor Bridge on Monday due to the ongoing work on the magic box underpass at BDA junction