BMTC buses rerouted due to metro construction

BANGALORE: Although a scene of chaos is a common sight at the Shivajinagar bus terminal on a typical day, the situation has gone worse with the change in the routes of few buses owing to the Bangalore Metro transport Corporation (BMTC) work.East Bangalore Traffic Police have enforced a change in route for buses departing from Shivajinagar and headed towards East Bangalore.Routes of the buses plying towards KR Puram, Neelasandra, Whitefield, Ulsoor, Cox Town and Jeevanahalli have been changed creating a confusion among commuters. Earlier these buses left the bus stand and via Venkataswamy Naidu Road and Balakundra Circle (New Indian Express Circle) took a left turn to touch Infantry Road and Cubbon Road.According to the changed route now, which came into effect from Monday due to the metro construction near BRV Junction and Minsk Square (CTO Junction) on Cubbon Road, these buses will now take a right turn at Jyoti Cafe Circle on Meenakshi Temple Street.They will use the Bowring Hospital stretch and will touch Cubbon Road taking a right turn at the Bowring Hospital Road.“Because of the metro construction going on, there was traffic congestion at Venkataswamy Naidu Road. To avoid the inconvenience and reduce the traffic jam, BMTC buses have been diverted. But the change in the route is applicable only to BMTC buses and no other vehicle,” said BA Muthanna, DCP Traffic East.Whatever be the reason, commuters are finding it difficult to figure out the right bus. The situation is quite confusing for commuters when a bus leaving the depot turns back towards Bowring Hospital stretch. Mahesh M, a regular commuter at the Shivajinagar Bus stand said, “The number of buses being parked outside the bus stand has increased. Space is extremely limited and buses are parked haphazardly wherever possible. The lack of a public information system adds to our woes. How can I run around the terminus looking for my bus?” Since the changed route is not covering a big stretch, providing a sigh of relief for the commuters, the residents and shop owners on the stretch that will serve as the new route to BMTC buses are not very happy.Preeti, a resident of the area said, “Although clearing of the parking slot is a welcome sight, the change in the bus route is bothering us all. It will end up increasing traffic over this stretch apart from causing noise pollution.” It should be noted that parking on the stretch has been prohibited to provide enough space to the two-way traffic.When City Express spoke to a shop owner, he said on the condition of anonymity, “Prohibition on parking is a welcome idea but we are worried about the fact that now BMTC buses will ply on this stretch. This will possibly reduce the number of pedestrians and will also cause increase in vehicular traffic which will further act as a constrain for the pedestrians.”