BENGALURU, 14 JUNE

The residents and commuters have demanded better infrastructure on Hennur-Bagalur Main Road because at least seven accidents are reported every week on the stretch due to poor upkeep. Hennur traffic police officials told Salar News that about 25,000 vehicles go through the stretch daily and accidents are mainly due to the poor infrastructure of the road and the negligence of drivers.

The 13.4km stretch from Hennur Depot to Bagalur Cross serves as an alternative road to Kempegowda International Airport and many take this route to avoid the toll on the main airport road. The road leads to prominent areas such as Hebbal, Kempegowda Bus Station, Shivajinagar and KR Market. Having a width of around 40 feet, the road is dotted with potholes and untarred stretches.

A major bottleneck on the stretch is Byg Brewski Brewing Company junction where accidents occur regularly, said David Paul, a businessman who resides on the stretch. The other bottlenecks on the stretch are Gubbi Cross, Narayanapura Cross and Byrathi Cross. “More traffic signals and police personnel are needed on this route as these are developing areas and traffic is bound to increase,’’ Paul said.

Lokesh, a shopkeeper in Bagalur, said, “As there is not enough width, the cars go slowly on the roads, creating traffic jams in the area.” The peak time of traffic is from 8am to 11am and from 5pm to 8:30pm. Adding to the trouble, there is no streamlined flow of vehicular movement as the commuters drive on the wrong side of the road in many parts.

The residents of the Bagalur have said there are only three traffic signals on the stretch which houses nine colleges and 15 schools. With signals only in Hennur Cross, Voddarapalya and Narayanapura Cross, the college- and school-going students find it hard to cross the roads.

Unscheduled stoppages and unscientific signages also make matters worse.  Puneetha R, a member of Residents’ Association of Pride Pegasus apartments located near Kothanur on the road, said, “The buses stop at the exit gate of our apartment and also there is a U-turn near the apartment creating traffic and accidents.”

Rains make driving through pothole-ridden roads a tough task for motorists. “When it rains, roads are waterlogged and chances of accidents are high during this time,” a BMTC driver plying on the stretch.

Hennur traffic police said there is no support from Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to fix the infra woes on the stretch. When it rains there is waterlogging and the drainages are left unattended.

BS Prahalad, Engineer in Chief, BBMP, said, “We accept that there are potholes and they have to be filled immediately. It is the duty of BBMP and the government to take care of these matters but all accidents cannot be linked to accidents; it can also be because of negligent driving.” —Salar News