Palike faces funds crunch in building road humps

The BBMP seems to be in no hurry to build scientific road humps in the City. This, despite an increase in the number of accidents on roads where there is high pedestrian movement, especially near educational institutions and malls.

Officials from the Traffic Engineering Cell (TEC) of the BBMP say they have not received grants in the civic body’s budget for the two years and hence, could not undertake the work.

The last time TEC received funds to construct humps was in 2011-12, when they got Rs two crore.

An official from TEC told Deccan Herald, “Minor roads and lanes located near malls, shopping complexes, schools and hospital zones need humps badly. We have been getting numerous complaints and representations from corporators to build humps.”

The official said that connecting roads where traffic signals are absent also require humps. 

The TEC officers pointed out till date they have built more than 1,000 humps and some of them were redesigned.

Yediyur corporator N R Ramesh recently wrote to TEC, urging it to build humps in his locality.

Ramesh said: “A month ago, a child met with an accident at 6th Block, Jayanagar while crossing a lane. Scientific humps are required on the lane near Ayyappa Swamy temple at 7th Block and near Krishna Rao Park in my ward. Walkers and senior citizens who visit the park are facing a lot of problems in crossing the lane. A pedestrian crossing with a road hump is badly needed there.”

He said that he had also written to Palike Commissioner M Lakshminarayana, requesting him to allot Rs 70 lakh every year for construction of humps in 198 wards.

Meanwhile, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) B Dayananda said that a few days ago, there was a review meeting with Home Minister K J George. The minister directed BBMP to expedite work on building scientific humps.

“BBMP has been telling us that they are short of funds. However, they need to construct humps, considering the safety of pedestrians and motorists,” he said.

When contacted, Lakshminarayana denied that TEC is not getting funds.

He said, “We will construct humps as soon as the traffic police recommend the locations.”