Introducing monorail as feeder services to metro rail was the only option to make Bangalore city free of traffic congestion, Home Minister K J George told reporters on Friday.
Long-term measures are the need of the hour to avoid traffic congestion in the State capital, he added.
People will stop using their private vehicles if they have monorail and this will cut traffic by nearly 50 per cent, George said and added: “I will discuss with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to take up the project on priority.”
A booklet on the present traffic problems and suggestions to overcome them has been circulated to all stakeholders, including BDA, BBMP, BMRCL, BMRDA and Bangalore Traffic Police, he said adding they have been asked to submit an action taken report within 45 days.
The government is looking at long-term and short-term measures. One such plan involves reducing traffic jams on Bellary Road, caused due to frequent functions held at the Palace Grounds. As part of the plan, the government has proposed to give entry point for the Palace Grounds from Palace Road and exit point at Jayamahal Road near TV Tower. Without improving interior roads at the exit point, no relief can be expected, he said.
“I will request the Chief Secretary not to give permission for holding any social functions inside the Palace Grounds without developing interior roads. Nearly 600 trees have to be axed to take up widening of the existing road,” he added.
The Home Minister said the BDA has been asked to provide a grade separator at Hudson Circle, a flyover at Silk Board Junction and an extra loop at K R Puram. Meanwhile, the BBMP has promised to take up pothole filling on all roads after rainy season.
When asked about frequent breakdown of BMTC buses and parking of private vehicles on both sides of busy roads, George said traffic police were attending to such problems but police cannot be blamed for everything.