The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Congress does it now

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Nov 06, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Congress does it now

Staff Reporter

‘Janandolana rally’ causes chaos on roads

— Photo: K. Murali Kumar

ANOTHER DIFFICULT DAY ON ROAD: Traffic jam near Cauvery junction on Bellary Road because of the Congress rally in Bangalore on Monday.

BANGALORE: Hapless Bangaloreans, who were put to hardship following massive traffic jam caused because of round-the-clock demonstration held by the BJP near Mahatma Gandhi statue on Saturday and Sunday, heaved a sigh of relief after the party withdrew its indefinite dharna.

But their happiness was short lived as the Janandolana rally organised by the Congress at the Palace Grounds on Monday threw traffic out of gear on Bellary Road and surrounding areas for three hours.

Worst hit

The worst affected were people coming towards the central business areas from Hebbal and Yelahanka side.

As thousands of Congress workers came in procession in scores of vehicles, traffic came to a near halt on Bellary Road, Jayamahal Road, Sankey Road, Palace Guttahalli Road and adjoining areas from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vehicular movement was again affected for about an hour after the rally ended at 2.45 p.m.

To avoid congestion, the police had announced in advance the routes for vehicles taking party workers from different areas.

But as several vehicles reached the venue around the same time, traffic came to a halt near Mehkri Circle and on Jayamahal Road.

The traffic policemen, who were posted in large numbers, struggled to regulate traffic. According to a senior police official, the Congress workers had arrived in around 200 buses, 600 vans and maxi cabs, 300 cars and 1,000 two-wheelers.

Littered

The scene at the Palace Grounds was similar to the one witnessed at the Cubbon Park during the BJP rally that was held near the Mahatma Gandhi statue on Wednesday.

There was a scramble for food packets at Palace Grounds.

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