Eight more underpasses to ease traffic on BIA road

Eight more underpasses to ease traffic on BIA road
BY AMIT S. UPADHYE
BENGALURU







Article Rank











Nearly 60 pedestrian fatalities have been reported since BIA’s inauguration
Having a signal free ride till the Bengaluru International Airport will soon be a reality according to top BBMP officials.

BBMP has proposed to construct eight magic box underpasses between Mekhri Circle and BIA to mitigate increasing pedestrian fatality and provide smooth access to the airport.

A top official from BBMP told this newspaper that pedestrian underpasses have been planned at three corridors — Mekhri Circle-Hebbal Flyover, Hebbal Flyover-Yelahanka and Yelahanka-BIA.

“The stretch between Hebbal Flyover and BIA has about eight signals and underpasses will be constructed at the same sites. Earlier, BBMP had offered to erect skywalks. But the idea was shelved since elevated expressway was planned on the stretch,” the official said.

Since the inauguration of BIA, nearly 60 pedestrian fatalities have been reported on the stretch. Despite traffic policemen manning the road with interceptor vehicles, speeding cabs cause major inconvenience to pedestrians.

Traffic cops however feel that the execution of proposed underpasses might take longer and short-term measures to ease traffic flow and safety for pedestri ans are must.

“After metal barricades were erected on the edges of the highway lane, pedestrians crossing it has come down. However, pedestrians sometimes flout rules and cross the road, especially in peak hours. It can be controlled if there is additional staff. If the underpasses are constructed, policing will become easy and effective,” said a senior traffic officer.

Traffic experts feel that BBMP must construct speed-breakers and cops must deploy more interceptors to keep traffic under control.

“It is important that vehicles do not cross the speed limit. Apart from increasing the number of interceptor vehicles, traffic police must come up with mobile patrolling vans for effective traffic management on the stretch,” said a traffic expert.