JOIN USDriving on Bangalore’s roads is like taking a one-way ticket to chaos. Many roads in the City have been made one-ways overnight, ostensibly to reduce the traffic burden. But far from alleviating the traffic woes, the one-ways have only resulted in leaving the roads in further chaos.
What is worrying is the fact that residential areas too have not been spared and have been turned one-way.
There are more than 128 one ways in the City and the prominent lanes in residential areas that have been made one-way are Thippasandra Main Road, Aga Abbas Ali Road, Margosa Road, Sampige Road and Link Road in Malleswaram to mention a few. Metrolife interacted with the City traffic police and people to understand what problems one-ways cause in residential areas.
Additional commissioner of police, M A Saleem points out that there are a couple of factors the traffic police take into account before making any road a one-way. “Only two parallel roads are made a one way. The exit point of a one way should be clear to facilitate a free flow of traffic. The traffic flow on a one-way must always be left leaning,” explains Saleem.
Justifying the need of one ways in residential areas, Saleem points out that these one ways help in making more room for parking. “If the road is not too narrow, parking is allowed in residential areas. Areas like Malleswaram, Jayanagar and Ulsoor Road always have cars parked on either side of the road,” he adds.
People living in residential areas, with one ways, say that they have a definite problem and have to battle with umpteen problems. Sagar Paul, a youngster, feels that one ways are problematic. “I have a problem with the one-way rule in my locality. I have to take a longer route and I’ve noticed that a lot of people are tempted to violate the rule and go on the one way just to save time and this makes the stretch accident prone,” he says.
Sagar feels the traffic police should find an alternative to the City’s growing traffic menace. “One ways are unsafe for pedestrians,” he adds. Rising fuel costs and increasing traffic congestion on the roads make it difficult for people to adhere to one-ways and it is common to see people drive or ride in the wrong direction on a one-way.
“For those who are not familiar with the routes, one ways can cause hell. If they miss a turn, then they will have to travel longer. I know of people who have faced such a situation,” he explains. But Abeeth Shetty, a student, holds a different view. He thinks that it shouldn’t matter whether a road in a residential area is a one way or a two way.
“The rule has been implemented for a purpose. I am assuming it could help reduce traffic congestion in and around the locality. I should comply by the rules for the larger good and if I have a problem, I shouldn’t be staying in that locality,” he concludes.