We can only manage traffic, say the police

We can only manage traffic, say the police

Staff Reporter
‘Growth of infrastructure is slow’
45 km of major roads dug up for metro work

Flyover construction planned at 30 major junctions

BANGALORE: Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Praveen Sood conceded that the police found it tough to address traffic-related woes. “We can at best manage the flow of traffic. But there is a need for parallel growth of infrastructure, which is happening at a slower pace,” he said here on Wednesday, addressing members of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Mr. Sood said the city police could not be held solely responsible for all the traffic woes. “There are several things that are not happening. Some 45 km of major roads have been dug up for Namma Metro work. For the next six months traffic will be affected in about 30 junctions for the construction of flyovers. Despite this, traffic moves, thanks to our management. There has been visible change in traffic movement on Bellary Road.”

The city police have been working with other agencies such as the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, BMRCL and National Highways Authority of India to smoothen the flow of traffic.

The BBMP has been given a list of 375 locations where pedestrian crossings will be laid in the next three months. \They will conform to the five-point policy framed in the wake of Lokayukta N. Santosh Hegde’s directions to remove the road humps and rumble strips.

Traffic on the Mahatma Gandhi Road will be better from next month when the BMRCL provides more space for motorists.

The traffic police will provide two-way movement between the Forum Mall and the Central Silk Board on Hosur Road in the next two months.

Discussions are on with the BBMP to provide space for parking, Mr. Sood added.