Don’t fly by night in the city

Don’t fly by night in the city
BENGALURU March 4:


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I Poorly-lit city flyovers endanger motorists, pedestrians I Built at a cost of Rs 31.86 crore, the Magadi-Chord Road junction underpass, stretches over 530.35 metres and has a four-lane carriageway. Using the underpass even during the day feels like going through a dark tunnel, say people here, who blame poor planning for the inconvenience

While flyoversand underpasses are being built in the city to ease traffic conditions, little care is being taken to illuminate them adequately, causing inconvenience to both the commuters and pedestrians who use them.
The Domlur flyover on HAL Airport Road is so badly lit that it is becoming notorious for crime, complain people of upmarket Indiranagar, who are forced to use it even after sunset as they have little other choice.

One such resident, Menaka, is hoping the problem will be solved soon as she frequently uses the flyover to get home.

Says Maheshwar R., a techie, “We have complained several times to the authorities, but nothing has been done. This busy area continues to be in the dark which makes it dangerous for both commuters and pedestrians.” If the dark flyover is giving commuters the jitters here, the recently inaugurated Magadi-Chord Road junction underpass is causing no less anxiety due to poor illumination. Using the underpass even during the day feels like going through a dark tunnel, say people here, who blame poor planning for the inconvenience.

Built at a cost of Rs 31.86 crore, the underpass was thrown open to the public on February 25. It stretches over 530.35 metres and has a 4-lane carriageway.

“What’s the point of engaging a consultant and designer for such a project if this is the end result?” ask the commuters, who are from happy with the underpass. “The project should have been reviewed by experts before it was approved,” says Kalpana Krishnappa, who has used it a few times.

“Better lighting for the underpass is essential to prevent accidents,” says Shwetha R.S., another commuter, adding that both the contractor and BDA engineers must be penalised for inconveniencing the public.

BDA commissioner H.Siddaiah, when contacted, said the complaints would be addressed and the engineers concerned would be directed to provide adequate lighting for the underpass.