Metro works: Get set for more traffic diversions

Metro works: Get set for more traffic diversions
Bangalore, DH News Service:
Thursday, June 04, 2009, 12:00 [IST]

Motorists will have to put up with slow-moving traffic on M G Road and the vicinity, for some more time to come, what with the monsoon causing possible delays in the ongoing ‘Namma Metro’ work.


As choc-a-block traffic continues, police authorities say vehicular movement is likely to be hindered even more, once the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) lays slabs on the piers, and construction work gains momentum on the remaining stretch of M G Road.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic and Security), Praveen Sood told Deccan Herald that a traffic diversion plan will be announced once the girder-laying work reaches Mayo Hall junction. “There is no choice, as infrastructure works are on. Once BMRCL informs us about slab laying on the concrete pillars, we will have to divert vehicular traffic. It is likely to be announced in about 10 days. However, traffic movement at the Brigade Road/Cauvery Emporium, will be affected only after a month or so,” Sood said.

Responding to a query on traffic signals being switched off for two hours from 5 pm everyday, Sood said it is unavoidable. “When the width of a road reduces from 20 metres to 10 metres, traffic flow is also slowed down. So, in the present circumstances, we have to switch off signal lights and manually direct traffic,” he added.

Work will go on

Meanwhile, BMRCL officials have assured that work will go on, despite rains, giving hopes to the commuters. “We are prepared for the monsoon. The vagaries of weather is not in our hands. Rain or shine, Bangalore Metro has deadlines to keep,” said a BMRCL official.