Traffic jams BMTC’s cash inflow

Traffic jams BMTC’s cash inflow

The chaos on Bangalore roads cost the transport corporation Rs 3 lakh a day

SUCHITH KIDIYOOR



It is not just the common man who curses the traffic jams in Bangalore. Even the BMTC does. And not without reason. The stateowned public transport corporation is losing Rs 3 lakh each day due to chaos on the roads.
A BMTC official, on condition of anonymity, said a majority of our buses are stuck in these jams. As a result, they fail to make the specified number of trips every day. Some of the reasons are: The roads are not in a position to accommodate the burgeoning number of vehicles that has touched over 30 lakh. “Things will get only worse as more than 1,000 new vehicles hit the city roads every day,” he said.
SNAIL’S PACE
Five years ago, the BMTC buses were plying at an average speed of 22 km per hour, which has now reduced to 17 km per hour. Every day, 15,000 scheduled kilometres are getting cancelled due to the changed situation, said the official. “Just imagine the hardship the BMTC commuters are put through for no fault of theirs or that of the corporation,” he added.
The other reasons for noncompletion of trips are accidents and vehicle breakdowns.
The construction of underpasses, flyovers, elevated expressways and Metro Rail projects too have resulted in cancellation of trips.
THREAT TO LIFE
The increasing traffic also poses threat to the safety of passengers during the peak hours. An official says, “Buses are crowded during the peak hours. There would be a mad rush to board them.”
DEDICATED LANE IS
THE REMEDY
In a bid to wriggle out of the traffic jams, the BMTC has been mooting the dedicated bus lanes.
An official said, “Dedicated lanes for public transport will definitely help the BMTC which operates for more than 16 hours in the city. Such lanes will not only improve the performance of the corporation but also promote public transport in the city.”
Commenting on the dedicated lane plan on Outer Ring Road (ORR), BDA commissioner Siddaiah said: “A proposal will be sent to the authorities concerned shortly. BMTC and BDA officials have had several rounds of talks on the project, which has a stretch of 40-45 km.” “Engineers are studying the present traffic situation on the ORR and the width available for dedicated lanes. If the project is feasible, we will seek central assistance under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM),” he added.
THE BLACKSPOTS
Outer Ring Road Seshadri Road Mysore Road, Yeshwanthpur Circle Benniganahalli flyover on Old Madras Road Kempe Gowda Road Peenya-Dasarahalli Begur junction on Hosur Road Jaraganahalli junction on Kanakapura Road
30 LAKH
Number of vehicles on city roads
1,000
Number of vehicles added everyday
22 TO 17 KMPH
Average speed has come down from 22 kmph