The Hindu 18.11.2010
Despite VVIP movement, this road is a major bottleneck
C.K. Suryanarayana
| 2-km stretch on Jayamahal Road a nightmare for motorists |
Bad state:The BBMP says it is awaiting the Supreme Court’s clearance to use a portion of Palace Grounds for road-widening.
This is one of the few arterial roads providing a vital link to the Bengaluru International Airport from East Bangalore. It is also an important link between areas, namely Peenya and Yeshwanthpur in North Bangalore and Cantonment, Old Madras Road, Indiranagar and surrounding areas in East Bangalore.
Though the stretch is wide enough to cater to the bustling traffic from Cantonment till J.C. Nagar junction, the road suddenly becomes narrower thereafter.
Half of the two-lane road till Doordarshan Kendra is ridden with craters forcing motorists to use the single lane.
Vehicles take 15 minutes to half an hour during peak hours to cross the traffic signal at the Doordarshan Kendra Junction.
Though the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) provided signal-free traffic on Bellary Road with the help of “magic boxes” before the opening of the airport, this vital link was left unattended to, said Altaf Pasha, a BMTC driver.
A “magic box” at the Doordarshan Kendra junction would have almost solved the traffic nightmare, he said. Vinod Kumar, a private firm employee, suggested that the palike should at lest asphalt the road without waiting for widening it, which may take months.
A constable who mans the traffic at Doordarshan Kendra junction, narrated his experience and said this arterial road was being used by many VVIPs.
Even some of the Ministers and government officers whose residences are located on Jayamahal Road, could not provide succour to the road users. During peak hours it takes over an hour for the traffic to get cleared.
BBMP Superintending Engineer (Major Roads) K.T. Nagaraj said BBMP was awaiting the Supreme Court’s clearance to use a portion of the Bangalore Palace property. Though Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar has agreed to offer the land, the same needs to be cleared by the Supreme Court, he said.
