The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Namma Metro work neutralises benefits of elevated highway

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Wednesday, Dec 22, 2010
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Namma Metro work neutralises benefits of elevated highway

Anil Kumar Sastry

Only one lane is left on either side out of the original six

— Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

Perilous walk:Pedestrians have to squeeze between barricades and moving vehicles at the Goraguntepalya Junction in Bangalore.

BANGALORE: Those reaching Goraguntepalya, off Yeshwanthpur on National Highway 4 within 20 minutes from Nelamangala after driving through the recently opened access-controlled highway and the elevated road, have to apply sudden brakes at the Goraguntepalya Junction.

The ongoing work of Namma Metro Outer Ring Road Station at this point acts as a speed breaker as the construction has left only one lane free for traffic on either side out of the original six lanes.

“After suffering for over three years during the widening of the Tumkur Road between Goraguntepalya and Nelamangala, I had expected a pleasant ride when the expressway was opened for traffic. But work on the metro has upset all my expectations,” said R. Chandramouli, a regular traveller on this stretch. He said during peak hours, he has to either wait at least 15 minutes at the junction or take a detour via Nandini Layout to reach the city.

The situation is worse early mornings when private as well as road transport corporation buses make a beeline for entering the city.

Tumkur Road, connecting most of the northern districts with the State capital, is a major gateway to Bangalore. Hence, there is heavy movement of passenger vehicles.

Alternatives

Foreseeing this problem even before the expressway was thrown open to traffic, the Bangalore traffic police had planned to divert the traffic.

They had issued advisories telling that only those intending to go to Yeshwanthpur railway station and Yeshwanthpur should proceed beyond Goraguntepalya Junction.

Others moving towards Hebbal and Majestic should use the stretches of the Outer Ring Road, the police had said. “Immediately after the down ramp of the elevated road, we have put up a number of flex boards announcing about the bottleneck ahead and urging motorists to take alternative roads,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic-West) Panduranga H. Rane told The Hindu.

Those bound for Majestic, Vijayanagar, Magadi Road and other southern parts of Bangalore, are advised to take a right turn at the CMTI Junction, just before Goraguntepalya and move on the Outer Ring Road towards Magadi Road. Those going to Majestic and Rajajinagar could take a left turn at the FTI Junction at this Outer Ring Road and move via Nandini Layout, Mr. Rane said.

“Also, more time has been allotted at CMTI Junction for vehicles taking the right turn to ease the congestion,” he pointed out.

Easing congestion

Similarly, a free left turn, separated by barricades, has been offered to vehicles bound for Hebbal on the Outer Ring Road at the Goraguntepalya Junction. This has considerably reduced piling up of vehicles at this junction, the officer said.

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