Some men and women fly and prostrate in front of Lord Saibaba on the Sai Mandir road in Ulsoor. Unfortunately, it is not devotion but the recently constructed speed-breaker in the vicinity of the temple which is making them do so.
The speed-breaker was laid by the Ulsoor traffic police on a rainy Friday three weeks ago. Since then, it has been accidents galore  on this stretch. Compounding the problem is the traffic signal present here which has a permanent `Go’ signal for riders. Due to this, riders tend to look up and miss the speed-breaker down. There is no streetlight too. A light with five bulbs located across the temple is shielded by the trees. Adding humour to the situation is the `Humps ahead, go slow’ board installed after the hump!
Standing here for a couple of hours during the night feels like watching a suspense movie—you never know which rider will jump high in the air, who will tumble down or which incoming vehicle will collide into a parked vehicle in front of the temple. And mind you, this is not something that happens to rash drivers only. One night, this reporter saw a two-wheeler rider who was riding quite slowly fly high in the air with his bike and fall flat with his vehicle. He was helped to his feet by one of the night security men outside a complex. He returned home with torn clothes and  any injuries on his hand.
The speed-breaker was constructed in the first place due to alleged pressure from temple authorities. They felt that since riders cross the road at breakneck speed, pedestrians were not able to cross over the road to the temple. “This has been done after persistent pressure for two years,” a member of the Sai Samaj committee, who did not want to be named, said. “We had to request MLA Raghu of Shanti Nagar to fulfil our request. It has been done only for the good of pedestrians,” he added. He also claimed that it was drunken riders and drivers who met with accidents.     
The problem of crashes is acute during nights particularly after the lights of the `Food World’, located in front of the speed-breakers, are switched off.
Anita, a supervisor, says, “I saw a tractor loaded with small stones jump over the speed-breaker and ram into a stationary car one night. Both the vehicles sufferred damages.” she adds. 
Referring to the same accident, Anjali, a resident says, “The debris from the tractor were scattered on the road for a long time. Other vehicles slipped on them and fell down!” She also spoke of accidents taking place every night here, a point a few others in the area too conceded. Another nearby resident Varadan says that reflectors are definitely required at the spot to avert accidents.
   However, not all are unhappy with the situation. An autorickshaw driver outside the temple says,  “Accidents do take place but it is good as riders will now ride slowly on this road.”
 A top traffic official of the Ulsoor traffic division assured that white paint would be applied at the spot shortly so that public know the presence of the speed-breaker. He also promised to put up reflective cat eyes at the spot. However, there is no chance of removing the speed-breaker, he added.