Congestion is worst at this junction

Congestion is worst at this junction

Sheshadripuram stretch opposite Nataraj theatre is becoming a headache for commuters and students

Odeal D'Souza



The stretch of Sheshadripuram Main Road opposite to Nataraj theatre is one of the most congested junctions in the central business district of Bangalore.
The pile up here is mainly due to the convergence of traffic from Sampige Road, Malleshwaram Road, and Platform Road.
Maximum number of BMTC buses pass through this junction as it is the gateway for vehicles moving towards the opposite ends of the city.
The traffic is so chaotic here that, without traffic signals, students of Sheshadripuram college are finding it difficult to cross the road to reach the bus shelter. Sometimes, it takes them 10 to 15 minutes to cross the roads. They also face the danger of getting hit by the speeding vehicles.
"That fear is always there at the back of our minds . So whenever we get a chance to cross the road, we move in groups. This gives us courage," says Deepika K, a student of the college.
"Getting into a bus is easier than reaching the bus shelter. Something has to be done here so that we can reach our homes on time," said Annie Thomas, another student.
"By evening, we are all tired after listening to lectures and pouring over books. When finally we get out of the college, we expect some relaxation. Instead, this long wait to cross the road gives us headaches," said Gopika S, another student.
Despite the traffic congestion, private bus operators continue to flourish. They park their vehicles at bus shelters blocking other vehicles every 15 minutes.
During evenings, the traffic movement gets suspended for nearly half an hour as these private buses carrying hundreds of passengers congregate at this junction.
Commuters working in offices along the road complain that they reach their offices and homes late.
Shop owners doing business on either side of the road complain of sound and air pollution.
"The drain running behind the bus shelter remains eternally clogged and the stench rising from it is so unbearable we can't work properly," said Malathi M, a shopkeeper.
"We'd submitted written complaints to the corporation many times. But the officials concerned have not taken any action to address the problem. We've lost hope in them. It's time the BBMP does something about this," she said.
"I've been residing here since long and the drainage problem in the entire Bangalore city remains unsolved even now," she said.