BANGALORE: Thanks to the ongoing work by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), and Bangalore Metro Railway Corporation Limited (BMRCL), traffic at the Nayandahalli Junction has made the Mysore Road stretch one of the most dreaded ones in the city. Commuters have to wait for more than 20-25 minutes to cross this junction. Also, due to the Metro work, vehicles move at snail pace. The silver lining is that, city traffic police have requested the BDA authorities to hasten the completion of a road near Kimco Junction near the railway underpass, to divert traffic to Outer Ring Road (ORR). Completion of the work is in its last stages near the Kimco Junction. After the work is completed, heavy goods vehicles coming from Mysore will be diverted to the ORR, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Saleem told Express. According to him, this route is vital to reduce traffic density on Mysore-Bangalore Road at the Nayandahalli Junction. Presently, the traffic is congested due to trucks and other goods vehicular movement. No permission Reportedly, BMRCL authorities had planned to construct another pillar near Nayandahalli Junction, but the permission is temporarily put on hold. “The road is very narrow and construction of another pillar would cause problems further. The BMRCL authorities have obliged to the traffic police department’s request and have temporarily suspended the new work till the situation at the junction improves,” he said. Reacting to Express report on how ambulances are stuck in traffic near Nayandahalli Junction, the additional police commissioner said the department has asked all the hospital authorities to avoid Nayandahalli Junction, and instead take deviation via Kengeri, Nagarbhavi, Vijaynagar and reach the ORR. “Despite repeated warnings, some of the drivers take Mysore Road and get stuck in traffic near the junction,” he added. “The department takes deviation for VVIP convoy to reach the city. To facilitate smooth flow of traffic, we have banned the movement of heavy goods vehicles for four hours in the morning and evening. This measure has brought some relief to the citizens. A large posse of traffic police personnel are deputed at the Nayandahalli Junction during peak hours. The present hiccup is that there is only single lane for vehicles due to ongoing works. Once those works are completed there may not be much snarls on this stretch. Our endeavour is to ensure a smooth and safe drive for citizens,” the additional police commissioner said. Burgeoning populationIn 1976, there were one lakh vehicles in Bangalore. Currently, there are 40 lakh vehicles and the population of the city is 90 lakhs. According to reports, seven hundred new vehicles are registered every day. The situation has improved now, as more than 1,500 vehicles were used to be registered daily. The police department opines after the public transport is improved, especially after the completion of Metro in all Phases number of people using private vehicles will come down. No separate laneSaleem ruled out a separate lane for two-wheelers in the city because of the road sizes in city. However in the present situation, he adds, there is no provision for this facility except widening of roads in certain areas. While the roads have remained same, the number of vehicles have increased immensely. “Where is the space for providing a dedicated lane for two-wheelers in the city,” the ACP asked. Parking removed The additional commissioner of police said the department has removed parking facilities at more than 59 per cent in the city especially on Arterial roads. “Four-wheelers parked on both sides of the road in residential areas obstruct movement of vehicles. This problem will be addressed at the earliest after discussing the issue with BBMP authorities. Citizens have to park their vehicles inside their compound and not on roads. The roads are meant for movement of vehicles and not for parking. A drive will be taken soon,” Saleem further added.
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