Consult residents, ease congestion

Consult residents, ease congestion
Traffic Police Chalk Out Plan Under B-Trac
Ambarish B | TNN

Bangalore: The city traffic police have devised a new mantra — plan and execute changes but by taking the public into confidence.
Under B-Trac, a comprehensive traffic project, the police will choose chaotic junctions and improve them with a few alterations. Citizens will play a greater role in the process. Jurisdictional DCPs will hold talks with the locals before finalizing changes in junctions.
“It is basically an attempt to systemize some bottlenecks like island points or opening the bell mouth in some junctions. DCPs will hold talks with residents and choose the best possible way,’’ additional commissioner of police (traffic) Praveen Sood explained.
The cops have already started work at Marathahalli junction. Soon, criss-crossing on the flyover will be stopped and a parallel way traffic will be put in place. “We want to improve subsidiary roads at the flyover. The existing down ramps will be effective after these roads are widened,’’ DCP east (traffic) Seemanth Kumar Singh said.
In some junctions, the medians will be shifted, while in others minor changes will be implemented. Too many right turns along the ring roads have been causing traffic jams. The traffic police, after discussions with residents, have decided to close some openings immediately after flyovers. In Kundanahalli, after the flyover, too many intersections have caused problems. Here, fewer right turns will ensure smooth flow of traffic during peak hours.
These and other works at many junctions are subject to space availability. “We are in the process of identifying 30 junctions in the city. All that these junctions need is minor, but important, work. If confusions are cleared, we can expect lane discipline from motorists. Motorists can be on the left side if they have to take a left turn from a distance before the signal or junction,’’ Sood explained.
Traffic police are also in constant touch with the BBMP and BDA to know whether they are taking up projects in the selected junctions. This work will not interfere with any other project.
THE LUCKY FEW
Junctions shortlisted for improvement Nanjappa Circle: The police held talks with residents. They discussed three alternatives, before selecting a feasible one. It was decided to have a signal light, to widen the bell mouth and a do little civil work.
ASC junction: Traffic police have shifted a median altogether from Airport Road side to Trinity Circle side two days back. More changes soon.
JBS hospital junction and Banashankari junction: All efforts will be made to clear the bottleneck. There is confusion due to a BMTC bus stand and two signals within 50 mts. Changes will be introduced in consultation with BMTC. Shantaveri Gopala Gowda junction: A big space without any proper system. Motorists get confused on entering the junction. Signal light and lane discipline will be introduced.
Murphy and NGEF junction (OMR Road):
Shape of the junction will be changed. Efforts will be made to segregate traffic movement.
D’Souza junction: Five roads converge here. No clear distinction or boards indicating the right and left lane for different directions. Efforts will be made to improve this vast junction.