First, the roads were clogged with vehicular traffic enroute to Tumkur, and then came the decongestion drive by the government by constructing an elevated highway. Now, it’s Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited’s (BMRCL) Namma Metro which is causing havoc for commuters.
For the past 15 years, the roads here have been witness to heavy traffic. Vehicles literally move at snail’s pace and commuters are forced to wait endlessly on the road before they reach their destination. “It takes one hour to travel two kilometres during peak hours,” said Ramu, an autorickshaw driver.
Increase in accidents
Another matter of concern is the increase in major and minor accidents. Heavy vehicles and buses regularly ply on this road to enter or exit the City. “The drive on this road is sometimes very frightening and risky,” said Ganesh, a motorist.
There have been many instances when even ambulances have become a victim of traffic jam causing a great deal of distress to patients.
Salman, a resident of Yeshwanthpur, recollects an accident that happened a few weeks ago near Yeshwanthpur Railway station. “It took almost 45 minutes for the ambulance to reach the accident spot,” he said.
Between 1995-2005, the roads here were narrow and heavy traffic density reduced the speed to 10-20 kms per hour.
“Even during the morning hours, a vehicle coming from Tumkur would have to spend at least a couple of hours to reach its destination at the centre of the City,” said Mohan Raju, a cab driver.
When the government woke up to resolve the issue in 2005 by constructing an elevated highway on Tumkur Road, people bore the brunt of traffic congestion, which turned from bad to worse for four years during the construction.
Namma Metro
The Metro work has also caused a lot of inconvenience to traders, residences and other business establishments. Most of the business activity had to be shifted to other areas due to land acquisition by the BMRCL. Traders and shop owners of Peenya had to shift their well-established businesses to other areas.
However, property owners are fairly satisfied with the compensation awarded to them after land acquisition by the Metro. The compensation amount paid to them was much more than the guidance value in the area.
The Metro work is in full swing around Yeshwanthpur. The launching of viaduct (elevated structure) is almost complete. The work has just begun in Peenya and property owners here have been asked to vacate their premises within a month and hand over the land to the BMRCL.
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