U-turn, project add to snarls

U-turn, project add to snarls
BY AKANKSHA MEHROTRA
BENGALURU


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The closure of a key U-turn just beyond Marathahalli flyover is forcing motorists driving to Whitefield and ITPL to go up a street that is one way, breaking traffic rules. Vehicles that were earlier allowed to turn right at the flyover are forced to take a U-turn after the flyover, causing huge bottlenecks as motorists are driving into incoming traffic.

“Earlier, a right turn was allowed just beyond the flyover, but due to the HAL airport, it was blocked to allow the free flow of traffic coming from the city. But I think it is high time the traffic police think of re-opening it.

Motorists are facing problems during peak hours,” said Rajmohan HS, an employee of TCS. A number of IT companies and tech parks are located in Whitefield, and motorists, especially the IT-BT employees, coming from the city have to face congestion as they have to go via Marathahalli (Marathahalli flyover) to reach their destination. Interestingly, this U-turn leaves the motorists with no option but to travel for over 1 km in the wrong direction, wasting nearly half-an-hour in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

“It is not only causing problems to us but we are asked by the police themselves to violate the traffic rules making us travel in one way. It’s ridiculous,” said another motorist, Noothan S.

With the closure of HAL airport, the vehicle volume on this stretch of road has reduced considerably and hence the motorists want the right turn to be re-opened.

But another motorist asked: “It is very obvious that the flyover was designed with this right turn in mind. Why don’t they retain it. Isn’t it a waste of public money, time and space?” Equally against the move was MN Srihari, chairman, Traffic Engineering and Safety Trainers (TEST says, “motorists should not have any problem if they are traveling 1-2 km extra. Several restrictions and closures have been implemented for the free flow of vehicles.

The Marathahalli flyover continues along Old Airport Road and Ring Road. Closure of HAL airport is not a reason to open the right turn beyond the flyover. Whether HAL functions or not, the idea of the closure of this right turn was to ensure free flow of traffic along the adjoining areas of the flyover.”