Poll code holds up CBD road opening

The white-topping of the stretch from Anil Kumble Circle to Cubbon Road in the Central Business District is almost done.

The BBMP is waiting for the Election Commission’s code of conduct to lapse to throw open the road to the public.

The civic body says it has blocked one side of the stretch for the grand opening after the election. But the closure is now causing traffic snarls along Cubbon Road, MG Road and Shivajinagar.

The BBMP east zone initiated white-topping of the 270-metre road, which connects the Central Street to Shivajinagar, from Anil Kumble Circle, in January. Though the Palike completed the work quickly, at the moment, only one side of the road has been opened for motorists, while the other side remains closed.

“The footpaths on either side of the road are encroached by street vendors and pedestrians are inconvenienced. The civic body has done good work, but they should now allow the motorists to use the stretch,” said Anuradha Roy, a resident of Shivajinagar.

“Traffic jams have worsened. Due to this, there is traffic congestion in and around MG Road and Cubbon Road,” said Pavan Kumar, a motorist.

Meanwhile, an officer of the east zone said: “Five per cent of the work is yet to be completed by the BBMP. Due to the election model code of conduct, we couldn’t open the road for vehicle movement. After the election, we will open the stretch.”