Traffic troubles unlimited, as unruly motorists rule streets here

BTM Layout, the constituency which has eight wards comes under the Bengaluru district in-charge minister Ramalinga Reddy and has to ideally set an example to other areas in City. But like any other high profile area, these wards too are reeling under the same problems faced across the City.

Located on the Central Silk Board Road, BTM Layout has the highest density of traffic in the City and also records high levels of air pollution. Despite the widening of roads and a flyover to commute towards Hosur Road, the junction just seem to get worse by the day. Jagadeesh, a techie who crosses the Silk Board junction to travel to his office, calls the traffic nightmarish even as the police stand helplessly.

The traffic police, he says, should make this junction signal-free. Vehicles waiting for a green signal at this spot also adds to all that air pollution.

Another major problem faced by BTM Layout ward residents is the total lack of lane discipline among motorists, especially the two-wheeler riders. They are often found riding on footpaths around the Udupi Garden road signals. Tararathnam J, a senior citizen and a resident of BMT Layout says that walking on the footpath has become a nightmare now. “A few days ago, a friend of mine was hit by a biker who was riding on the footpath instead of the road. Nobody cares for the pedestrians, who are at risk even while walking on the footpath,” says she.

Traffic hazards also abound on Hosur Road, especially near Christ College, Forum Mall and NIMHANS hospital till the Lakkasandra ward.  This road is actually a busy national highway, carrying all modes of transport from the City to the neighbouring Tamilnadu. Due to the high traffic density on this stretch, the police have not given much gaps for any U turn, forcing motorists to ride an extra mile.

The problem for pedestrians is compounded by shrunken footpaths and a serious lack of skywalks near NIMHANS campus. Anitha K, a resident of Lakkasandra says crossing the roads here is too difficult a task. The road badly requires some widening. “The bus stop opposite Nimhans convention centre is used by both city and state transport services, and is also the busiest.  We had appro­ached the local MLA to create a bus bay here so that there is no traffic jam during peak hours.  But the MLA contended that there are many huge trees in the vicinity and chopping them may not go well with environmentalists,” she added.

Bengaluru is a city of one-ways, and this has now affected the vegetable and fruit vendors of the Madivala market too.  A month ago, the traffic police converted the entire stretch from the Krupanidhi college till the Madivala police station as one-way, blocking the entrance for those shoppers entering from Hosur Road, BTM Layout etc.

Mohana, a vegetable vendor says that the one-way rule has affected the business of most of the vendors here. “Thursdays are usually the market day at the Madivala, but due to the one-way system, shoppers are not able to enter the market directly.  They are forced to take a round about and enter the market from the Krupanidhi college side. Many motorists also park their vehicles on the roads for a quick purchase. This too has affected smooth traffic movement here,” he added. 

Koramangala, a posh and upmarket ward also has problems related to garbage not cleared on time, hawkers occupying footpaths and littering the areas. This indicates a nexus between the hawker, traffic police and the BBMP. In some pockets, there are also problems linked to shortage of water supply.

On weekends, heavy traffic seems to be a major hurdle in Koramangala. Entering and existing this ward is one big challenge. Anand M, a resident, says, “Allowing hawkers on the footpath are forcing pedestrians to walk on the main roads.  Waste dumped by these hawkers is creating a mess in the area.  The uncleared tender coconut shells and used plastic tea cups turn breeding grounds for misquotes, which is also the reason for many dengue cases in the area,” he added.

Wards such as Adugodi, Ejipura, Jakkasandra and Sudduguntepalya suffer from scarcity of water.  Sridharan, a resident of Ejipura ward, says that it is only during elections that the politicians come out seeking votes. But when citizens want them, they are never available to hear problems.  “Our ward has severe problems of water logging during rains, drains not de-silted, shortage of water supply and garbage not cleared.  Many caterers in the area are dumping wet waste into the drains directly. This has blocked most of the drains here,” he pointed out.