JOIN USThe two iconic flyovers of the City, at Hebbal and KR Puram, are a boon. But the bus stops nearby are unplanned. It is a pity that although hundreds of commuters and pedestrians pass through KR Puram flyover, there are no well-planned bus stops. For instance, the bus stops opposite KR Puram railway station near the flyover have been there for many years, but with no shelters.
Babu, an autorickshaw driver, said: Commuters have to stand in the hot sun waiting for the bus. As a result, elderly citizens, expectant mothers and children are the worst sufferers. The road is too narrow and sometimes, the buses stop right in the middle of the road, creating a huge traffic block.” Besides the inconvenience faced by commuters at the bus stop near the railway station, the pedestrians are also at risk while crossing the road. Sabina Taj, a commuter, said crossing the roads under the KR Puram flyover is a daunting task. It is time consuming and risky.
“I take 25 minutes to cross the road as the traffic rushes in from both directions. There are no traffic policemen to monitor the movement of vehicles and pedestrians.”
The condition of bus stops near the Hebbal flyover is more or less the same. The Hebbal bus stop situated under the flyover, near the railway bridge, is in a bad condition with no proper seating arrangements. “The buses are not regular here, specially those to KR Market, which come once every one hour due to which we are forced to wait for a long time,” said Karthik K, who works as a plumber.
The Bellary Road near the entrance of Hebbal flyover has two bus stops on the lane. But the commuters hardly use them and can be seen standing on the road divider waiting for the buses.
“Since people stand on the road divider, the buses have ceased stopping at the bus stops. People wanting to reach the other side of the lane leading to the Bangalore International Airport cross the road without taking precautions,” said Jagadish R, a resident.
R Ranganaikulu, the traffic inspector who regulates vehicular movement on Bellary Road, said during peak hours, three traffic personnel are deployed to keep tabs on the traffic and commuters near the bus stop.
“Many times, I have even instructed the bus drivers not to stop the buses near the road divider. But, they never listen.”