Skywalk doesn't help at Sophia school junction

The heavy traffic movement near the intersection at Sophia's High School, Palace Road, with its ever increasing flow of vehicles makes it one of the most dreaded junctions in the City.

The widening of Palace Road and deployment of additional traffic police from High Grounds station has not helped much.

According to the traffic police, lakhs of vehicles pass through the junction each day. This is the main point for motorists commuting between places like Kempegowda International Airport, City Market, Vidhana Soudha, Shivananda Circle and beyond. 

“We have to work till 11 pm to clear the traffic at times. The situation gets worse on rainy days. The road-widening more than four years ago has just facilitated the motorists and not helped much in curbing the traffic. The stretch from Windsor Manor to High Ground Junction near Sophia School has huge pile-up of vehicles, specially cars on all days,” said a traffic constable on duty. 

While the non-stop flow of vehicles near Sophia school bothers the students no end, reckless motorists driving at high speed pose big danger to them. Srishti Roy, a Class VI student from Sophia, said: “Bikes, autorickshaws and cars drive at high speed. I use the skywalk, but most of my classmates cross the roads.”

Venkatesh, an inspector attached to the High Ground traffic police station, said: “The peak hours are from 7.30 am to 8 am and between 2.30 pm and 3 pm. Four traffic personnel monitor the traffic at the junction on shifts.”

A skywalk, built at an estimated cost of Rs 60 lakh opposite Sophia School by BBMP to help pedestrians, remains mostly unused. Even during peak hours like at 3 pm, the skywalk was found empty by this reporter.

Upasana Chadda, another student from Sophia’s, said: “The skywalk is long and takes a lot of time to reach the other end. So, students prefer crossing the road. Also, there is no signal near the school. The traffic authorities should set up one on a priority basis.”