In 1 year, 21 deaths on Hosur Road

A stretch on the Hosur Road has registered 21 pedestrian deaths between  January  2017 and February 2018 despite the presence of subways.

The 10-km stretch from the Silk Board  Flyover to Electronic City has four subways. However, the City Traffic Police analysis showed that most pedestrians shun subways even though crossing the busy roads with heavy vehicular density could prove fatal for them.

Pedestrians dread to take subways as they are poorly maintained. Most of them are poorly lit, dirty with filth littered over the place. In some places, hawkers occupy the most of the space. Most often the subways serve as public urinals. With anti-social elements using the place, people find it unsafe to use the facility.

With most of the facilities being under-utilised, the BBMP has locked them permanently

Concerned over the deaths of pedestrians, the traffic police discussed the issue with the BBMP officials and also gave some suggestion to improve the conditions in subways.

Speaking to DH,  Abhishek Goyal, DCP, traffic(east), said: "After analysing each pedestrian accident case, and speaking to witnesses it was clear that pedestrians were not using subways on this stretch."

"We have suggested the BBMP improve the lighting facility inside the subways. Repair the seepage of water," Goyal said.

The officer has also suggested posting of guards at both ends of the subway 24/7 to ensure safety for women and to prevent anti-social activities.

The subways are closed at 9.30 pm. This is also one of the reasons forcing the people to cross the road.

"We have requested the BBMP to make subways functional 24 hours," the officer added.

Goyal also pointed out that subways should be close to bus stops.

"We have also requested  the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) officials to have bus stops near the subways where people can easily access both subways and the buses," he added.

According to the traffic police data, in the year 2017, a total of 284 pedestrians lost their lives, while 1,346 sustained injuries in the city.