Divider a rule

Divider a rule
On the day the newly-laid Vittal Mallya Road was inaugurated, traffic police want a median and a speed-breaker built on it
HEMANTH KASHYAP


Even as Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa dedicated the newly-laid Vittal Mallya Road to the public on Thursday, the traffic police wanted the UB Group and the BBMP to build a divider and a speed-breaker on the road.
The police said that the road, whose inauguration was attended by liquor baron Vijay Mallya, many industrialists and other dignitaries, had some of the best eateries, a mall, coffee bars, designer outlets, IT offices and houses belonging to the who’s who of Bangalore.
They said as the road, despite the heavy traffic day and night, has no median or a speed-breaker, it urgently requires a “designer” road divider and a “goodlooking speed-breaker” to put an end to rash driving.
Cubbon Park traffic police inspector Mallikarjun said, “We have told them (UB Group) the situation will get worse on the road especially during night. With vehicles coming on to Vijay Mallya Road from Kasturba Road, Lavelle Road and St Mark’s Road, there is a need for a road divider and a speed-breaker. Our proposal is under consideration.”
“A speed-breaker and a divider will spoil the look of the road, but safety cannot be compromised for the sake of looks,” said another senior police officer.
The police plan to fix boards on the road, asking motorists to stick to a speed limit of 20 kmph.
Before the road was reopened, two accidents had taken place due to negligent driving. These accidents could have been prevented if it had a speed-breaker and a divider, according to the police.
In one case, a car coming from the Lavelle Road side rammed into the pavement near UB City, damaging the stone pillars lining the pavement. In another incident, an SUV had rammed into the pavement.
Meanwhile, a representative of Prestige Group that laid the road on behalf of the UB Group, dismissed the police suggestion, saying a divider and a speedbreaker on this narrow road would cause traffic jams.
“Motorists coming from the Lavelle Road side cannot take a right turn towards the UB City if a divider is built,” he said.
However, Deputy Commisssioner of Police (Traffic - East) B A Muthanna said, “We will study the traffic flow for a few days. A divider for this road is top priority.”