While there seems to be no end to traffic snarls

While there seems to be no end to traffic snarls


Traffic chaos at K R Circle.
Faiza HaneefFirst Published : 31 Jul 2009 05:20:00 AM IST
BANGALORE: Did Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike get it totally wrong by building underpasses near Maharani’s College and K R Circle junction, pedestrian subways and the rotary concept at K R Circle? This is the instant question that pops in one’s mind considering that these BBMP innovations to ease the traffic flow might backfire.
Case in point is the feeling among motorists that it would be an arduous task to take the main junction and the underpass near the Maharani College.
BBMP's claim that once the road widening work is completed the traffic flow would improve already sounds hollow. Here’s why. The introduction of innovations like rotary and magic boxes as part of the “signal-free” concept has been irritating for both pedestrians and motorists.
At peak hour, the traffic seems to be in a mess, to put it mildly and the underpass built across the road leading to Cubbon Park at K R Circle, connecting Ambedkar Veedhi with Nrupatunga Road has not been of much help.
Motorists using the Palace Road also have problems as the underpass is not open for the traffic coming from the Chalukya Circle side while it is open for the traffic from the K G Road side. Consequently, the buses moving towards the K R Circle have to go up to CoD office and take an U-turn to join the Sheshadri Road.
BBMP’s effort to ensure free flow of traffic at the cost of about Rs 5 crore is not bearing the desired fruits what with, during peak hours, the vehicles being held up right from Sheshadri Road to Nrupatunga Road. To add to motorists’ woes is the unnecessary signal opposite RBI.
“BBMP could have done wonders with just taking up the road widening work and maintaining traffic signals and that would have solved 90 per cent of the traffic issues at these junctions.
But, now with their hasty decisions, they have created a mess, which cannot be rectified,” said Muniyappa, a resident of Banashankri.
Speaking to Express, BBMP Chief Engineer (major roads) Chikkarayappa, was however confident of putting an end to traffic snarls: “Once the works get completed, it would be the end of problems and confusion. To avoid confusion at these junctions we are putting up sign boards, which would direct the traffic. More such signboards will be put up soon.” He said that the work on the pedestrian subways and road widening is in the process and would be completed once Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (KPTCL) lays the cables.
Chikkarayappa also informed that the (BBMP) commissioner gave an ultimatum to BWSSB over shifting of underground drainage lines.
“One layer of asphalting is completed and another round of asphalting has to be carried out, which we would take up depending on the weather conditions,” he said. When asked about using the innovative rotary concept in other parts of the city, the official said that BBMP is awaiting feedback from the public and depending on the feedback further course would be decided. At the face of it, this concept might never get replicated anywhere else.