Traffic cops keep BMTC in dark on President's route

For commuters on the stretch, it was a harrowing time as they had to deal with heavy showers apart from cancellations and delays of buses. Many commuters said that clearing each signal on the route took more than 15 minutes.

While this was the plight of commuters, BMTC’s Director (Technical), S K Paramesh, seemed oblivious to the chaos on the road and had no clue about the President’s route.
“There is no way of assessing the situation on the roads immediately. It is possible that a few buses were cancelled,” said Paramesh.

If BMTC was clueless about the situation on day one of Patil’s visit, what was more baffling was that they had no clue about the President’s itinerary for Saturday.

Officers from the BMTC went blank when asked about their plan to deal with the possible traffic delays on Saturday.

“She is touring tomorrow also is it?” enquired Divisional Transport Officer, BMTC, Sampangiram Gowda.

This, despite the fact that the traffic police conducted rehearsals on Thursday for the smooth journey of Prathiba Patil’s convoy.

“BMTC buses will take diversions if need be in the coming days due to VIP traffic clearance,” Gowda quickly added.

B Muthanna, DCP East (Traffic) said apart from a few areas, no major traffic complaints were received. “Minor delay is unavoidable when a VIP visits. Due to water logging, certain areas of K R Circle, Double Road, Richmond Road and Anil Kumble Circle witnessed traffic jams,” he said.

Avoid these roads today, tomorrow

The City Traffic police have imposed traffic restrictions on Saturday and Sunday in view of President Pratibha Patil’s visit to the City. The president’s convoy will be moving on the following roads:
Saturday
10 am – 11 am: Rajbhavan Road, L H Road, Palace Road, T Chowdiah Road, Le Meridian Junction, Windsor Manor Junction, Palace Cross, Cauvery Talkies Junction, Ramana Maharshi Road, Mekhri Circle, Bellary Road upto G K V K.
11.30 am – 12.30 pm: G K V K Bellary Road upto Mekhri Circle Underpass, Ramana Maharshi Road, Cauvery Talkies Junction, T Chowdiah Road, Palace Cross Junction, Windsor Manor Junction, Le Meridian Junction, L R D E Junction, Rajbhavan Junction and Rajbhavan Road.
5.30 pm – 6 pm: Rajbhavan Road, LH Road – Basaveshwara Circle, Palace Road, C O D Junction, Maharani College Circle –underpass  and Jnanajyothi Auditorium.
6.50 pm – 7 pm: Jnanajyothi Auditorium, Palace Road, Maharani College Circle – underpass, COD Junction, A G’s Office Junction, Basaveshwara Circle, Palace Road, L R D E Junction, T Chowdiah Road, Ali Askar Road and Rajbhavan Road.
Sunday
10.30 am – 11 am: Rajbhavan Road, L H Road, Basaveshwara Circle, A G’s Office Junction, Vidhana Soudha West Gate and Vidhana Soudha.
12 noon – 1 pm: Vidhana Soudha, Dr Ambedkar Road, CTO Circle, Queens Road, Anil Kumble Circle, BRV Junction, K R Road Junction, Cubbon Road, Manipal Centre Junction, Webbs Junction, MG Road, Trinity Church Circle, ASC Center, C B Road Junction, Domlur, Indiranagar 100-ft Road Junction and HAL Airport Road.