JOIN USCity to get new one-ways to ease traffic problem: J R Lobo
To ease the ever-increasing traffic congestion in Mangaluru, one-way traffic needs to be introduced on a few selected stretches, said MLA J R Lobo.
Speaking at a meeting on traffic woes on Tuesday, he said that several stretches in the heart of the city has been clogged by maddening traffic jams. The public should cooperate with the police without bringing in any political pressure to revoke one-way traffic system.
“One-way traffic was introduced in the past on a few stretches, but was revoked following pressure from general public. In Bengaluru, one-way traffic extends for five to six kilometres on a few stretches, which has helped in easing the congestion,” he said.
Pointing at the opening of road dividers at unwanted places on Airport Road at Yeyyadi, he said, “Such openings are prone to accidents. Some private long route buses are parked beside the road. The police should clear such buses citing the reason of unauthorised parking. Also, parking of vehicles on footpaths has been causing inconvenience to the pedestrians. The MCC should identify parking areas on small patches of government land wherever available, to ease the traffic congestion to some extent. Towing vehicles are need of the hour in the city, to clear vehicles parked on non-parking areas and footpaths.”
DCP (Crime and Traffic) Sanjeev Patil said, “Diversion of basement parking space in commercial buildings has resulted in parking of vehicles on roads and pavements, hindering smooth flow of traffic. The use of parking space for commercial purpose in buildings should be cleared by officials. Parking areas should be notified and painted by civic authorities. A signage on non-parking areas should be clearly marked along with painting of zebra crossing and road humps. Some bus shelters should be shifted 50 to 75 metres away from the present place to avoid traffic congestion on major junctions.”
Corporators said that mobile canteens are on rise in the city without permit from the Corporation and there is a need to clear such canteens. Strict action should be initiated against contract carriage buses too that violate the rules by entering the city.
Parking problem
Corporator Poornima said that lorries park in the Central Market area cause inconvenience to pedestrians, schoolchildren and traders.
Expert Gopalakrishna said that bus bays at Karavali Circle, Bunts Hostel and Light House Hill are not utilised by buses. The movement of lorries, trucks inside the city during peak hours should be banned.
In her presidential address, Mayor Kavitha Sanil said that meetings on traffic woes will be held every month.
She sought the support of the police in clearing the unauthorised petty shops and street vendors encroaching the footpaths. The MCC will put up a board banning the street vending. She said the MCC has suspended the licences of skill games and massage parlours in the city. The police should initiate action if any such centres are operating in the city.