With an average of 25,000 new vehicles rolling out on the over-burdened city’s roads every month, controlling the ever increasing traffic has become a big headache with the haphazardly planned bus stops in the city proving to be a bigger headache.
As of now, the Bangalore traffic department has identified 122 bus stops that are creating traffic gridlock.
The traffic department has already started working towards shifting these bus stops from the busy junctions to ease out the congestion at peak hours.
The bus stop at Bellary road was shifted near CBI office recently. Now, commuters have to either go to the stop on Ramana Maharshi Road, opposite the Palace Grounds or the one near CBI office.
The bus stop in Richmond Circle was also shifted. Last but not the least, four bus stops near Kundalahalli junction in Whitefield were shifted in an effort to break the traffic gridlock.
When City Express spoke to Additional Commissioner of Traffic Department M A Saleem, he said, “In Bellary Road, the bus stop was shifted as the heavy traffic was causing a huge delay for airport passengers. The development projects have also contributed to the increasing traffic snarls. The same problem is faced with the bus stops near Kundalahalli junction and Richmond Town. Soon, we are planning to introduce many such changes in and around the busy junctions of the city.”
Citizens opine: “By moving the bus stop to CBI office, it has become difficult for the citizens near BDA junction upto Sanjayanagar entrance. Now, we have to walk a long distance, “ said Hari, LPO employee.
Voicing a similar opinion, another commuter in Richmond Circle, Gurram Hari says, “We have to walk down to the next bus stop near Pallavi Theatre or end up taking an auto.”
However, there are a few who welcome such initiatives and say such measures can solve the traffic congestion. Sayon Banerjee, MNC employee says, “There is always two sides to a story and citizens have to give up a little if they want the authorities to make their life a little bit easy. I do feel a few bus stops are the real reason for traffic jams so, shifting them is the only option.”
When City Express spoke to traffic expert MN Sree Hari, he said, “Removing the bus stops that are causing traffic blockages is indeed a good proposal. In fact, the authorities must now look to create a separate bus way. There are a few bus stops at Old Airport Road too which needs to be shifted urgently to ensure smooth flow of traffic.”
Comments
0 comment