Signal-free zones planned

Signal-free zones planned

BBMP to set up yield junctions on busy roads to speed up traffic

Santhosh Kumar RB. Bangalore
Motorists passing through Basaveshwara Circle near Chalukya Hotel need not have to burn fuel at traffic junctions, especially during peak hours.
Soon, the junction will turn into a signal-free zone.
But unlike in other signal-free projects, here the Bruhat Bangalore Mahangara Palike (BBMP) is not planning flyovers or underpasses.
"In this project called 'yield junctions', barricades will be put up two feet high around junctions and saplings will be planted there. Vehicles coming from opposite directions will go around the junction smoothly," BBMP sources, who did not want to be named, said.
But motorists have to slow down while approaching these junctions which will provide for free left turn and U-turn.
The BBMP is planning to implement yield junction on busy roads that connect to the Bangalore International Airport (BIA).
"Two such junctions will come up at Chalukya Hotel junction and Shivananda Circle," they said.
Once the BBMP gets approval from traffic police, work will begin in the two junctions.
While some commuters welcomed the move, others were sceptical.
M Manjunath, who works with a NGO, said: "They are quite helpful for motorists. They will also save time as people need not have to stop at signals. It is a good solution for traffic woes."
But Devaraj, a lecturer, disagreed.
"In Banglore, lane discipline is the worst. So these junctions are going to pose a threat to motorists. Traffic police must be deployed to control traffic at these junctions," he said.
"BBMP is planning to provide more such single-free junctions on busy roads," Palike's chief engineer Krishna Reddy (in-charge of major roads) said.
The city has already two yield junctions, one at Windsor Manor junction and the other at High Ground junction. These connect Bellary road which, in turn, connects Devanahalli Airport.
"The existing yield junctions require improvisation. This work will go on simultaneously along with the setting up of the new junctions. These junctions will provide for free movement of vehicles without the presence of traffic police," sources said.
But traffic police have a different view.
Nagappa, assistant commissioner of police (traffic east), said: "Without traffic police, these signal-free junctions will turn out to be a failure.
"Though BBMP claims that it can work without traffic police, at least two policemen have to be present at the existing yield junctions to control traffic.
"At least six roads connect to the junction near Chalukya Hotel junction, and it would be chaotic if a yield junction comes here."