“It is a residential locality. But when you step out of the house, it feels like you are on the main road. It is a pain to even cross the road. And if you are a pedestrian, god save you, as you will have vehicles from three different directions approaching towards you and you don’t know which side to head,” says Arun Suvarna, a resident of Indiranagar.
Arun is talking about the busy junction opposite a popular coffee shop at 12th Main, Indiranagar, where he is a regular visitor.
Pedestrians and residents feel that since it might not be practical to have a signal at this junction as it is a narrow road, it would be a great relief if the road opposite the coffee shop is made a one-way. They also argue that there are many alternative roads which the commuter can take, hence easing the traffic load on this particular street.
Archana Uthappa, another regular customer to the cafe says that it is common to see accidents occur at this particular junction. “This has been a problem for the past many years. It’s only that the traffic has increased now and the problem has aggravated. I am planning to write a letter to Circle Traffic Inspector Kavita, so that the traffic police take some step to make it safe for the pedestrians using the road.”
Even the security guard employed with a restaurant located on the 12th main says,”There isn’t a single day when an accident doesn’t take place. You have drivers speeding away to glory without realising that there are vehicles coming from the intersecting road. Even the pedestrian is caught unaware most of the time and ends up getting hurt.”
Corporator Savita Ramesh told City Express that she was not aware of the issue. She said, “We haven’t received any complaint in this regard so far. But we will take adequate steps if it is causing any kind of inconvenience to the public. But in the end, the Traffic Police will have to take a decision on making it a one-way.” Circle Inspector (traffic), Indiranagar, MC Kavita said,”We can’t make this road a one-way as it will create nuisance for the residents themselves. Both sides of the National Public School are one-ways already. In fact, people need to be careful when they are coming from the Hotel Empire side and taking a left opposite the coffee shop.
There is no issue as long as motorists slow down while driving through the cross roads and also while nearing the junction. It’s not feasible to have signals every 50 metres. The possible solution is to have a speed breaker. But again it has to be maintained well to serve the purpose.” Kavita added, “Another important reason for accidents here are the absence of street lights.”