HBR Layout residents demand underpass on Ring Road

Say crossing road here is a nightmare 

Residents of HBR Layout have been demanding the construction of an underpass on Ring Road, between Hennur Cross and Nagawara traffic signals, as crossing the lane has become a huge challenge for them. 

According to residents, crossing the Ring Road is a nightmare for pedestrians as it sees heavy vehicular movement throughout the day.

“It takes at least of 20 minutes to cross the Ring Road. There are many schools, temples, markets in and around the locality. Constructing an underpass would be a viable solution,” said Somashekhar, secretary of the HBR Layout 5th Block Welfare Association.

He added that the Ring Road, which stretches from Hebbal to the KR Puram bridge, bifurcates the 4th and 5th Blocks of their locality, but there is no road connectivity between the blocks. 

According to Banaswadi traffic police, over 10,000 vehicles ply on the Ring Road during peak hours.

While one side of the lane is occupied by vehicles going towards Whitefield, KR Puram, Marathahalli, Silk Board and surrounding areas, buses, two-wheelers and heavy trucks going towards Hebbal, Nagawara, Tumkur Road and neighbouring areas ply on the other side. 

Richard V S, another resident of the locality, maintained that the Ring Road was constructed 10 years ago and that many accidents had occurred since. 

“Heavy traffic density and lack of patience among public while crossing are what he says are responsible for the accidents. After the construction of the Nagawara flyover and Hennur Main Road underpass, the speed and density of vehicles have increased drastically,” Richard said. 

Meanwhile, the HBR Layout 5th Block Social and Cultural Association members have submitted a memorandum to Sarvajnanangar MLA, K J George, who is also the Home Minister, and T Sham Bhatt, Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) Commissioner requested them to address the traffic woes.

Bhatt, when contacted, told Deccan Herald that a decision would be taken after discussing the need for the underpass project with his subordinates.