Mutiplexes ‘complex’ for traffic

Mutiplexes ‘complex’ for traffic

Multiplexes give nightmares for the police who find it hard to control traffic in the evenings

By Shashwathi Bhanukumar
Posted On Tuesday, September 02, 2008

It was common to see the police wielding batons to control crowds and traffic near theatres. Now, malls, with their multiplexes, have added to their problems.

Take, for instance, the Lido Mall. The road leading to the theatre used to be get jammed frequently. Now, the traffic - which has increased three-fold - moves at a snail’s pace. Many prefer to avoid taking that route.

With most screens having similar timings and crowds coming out at the same time - around 7 pm - it is giving nightmares for the police. Traffic piles up outside the malls, making it difficult for motorists to come out or get inside. “Roads can’t take so much traffic... we are coming up with some alternatives to ease traffic,” says J Srinivasa, Deputy Commissioner of Police.

Malls too are chipping in to help ease the traffic congestion. “We put up a ‘full’ board at the parking lot and ask motorists to remain at the parking lot till we find them a place,” says Amethi, assistant general manager of Sigma Mall. However, it is not helping.

“I work near Cunningham Road and I leave office around 8 pm; though my house is just 3 km away, it takes me a hour to reach there,” says Aditya.

The Forum Mall authorities say they have made adequate arrangements to ease traffic around their mall. “We have three exits for four-wheelers and two exits for two-wheelers. Traffic jams outside the mall is not because of vehicles coming to our mall, says Subhash, a security executive at the mall.

In the Sigma Mall, there’s a gap of 15 minutes after each show. Amethi says this will help ease traffic to some extent. “This gives ample time for the people who have watched the movie to come out as well as for those going inside,” he felt.
Forum Mall too has a gap of 15 minutes between each show at PVR Cinemas.

The DCP feels an underpass at these junctions can solve the traffic problem and that he will hold talks with the BBMP officials soon.