QUEEN’S ROAD: Incorrect and inadequate signage in the city routinely leaves many, especially tourists, lost.
The Pacific Asia Travel Association conference, which began on Sunday, is on till Tuesday, and has brought many delegates to the city.
The event, one of the biggest in the world, is attended by thousands of delegates from across the globe.
Express visited some places to check out the signage. Many places are totally lacking in helpful boards, while others offer misleading directions.
A board just before the hanging bridge at KR Puram points to Whitefield. A left at another road just before the bridge takes you to Whitefield directly. The route mentioned on the signage takes you to ITPL first, and then on to Whitefield, making it a circuitous trip.
“Last week, I had to go to Whitefield from Banashankari. I followed the signage and through bad traffic, managed to reach my destination,” Janardhan, a techie who drives a car, said.
When he went there a second time, he asked locals for directions.
“They told me to follow the road before the bridge. I saved 45 minutes that way,” he said.
On the Hebbal flyover, on the way to the Kempegowda International Airport from Mekhri Circle, following one of the boards pointing to Tumakuru could take you away towards KR Puram.
Once you realise you are headed in the wrong direction, you have to make a U-turn. That is an additional 5 km.
At several junctions, traffic lights cover portions of the signage, as near Balekundri Circle at the Indian Express building on Queen’s Road.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Dr M A Saleem said the poor signage will be rectified if brought to the notice of the traffic police.
“With respect to the Hebbal flyover, we will inform the Bangalore Development Authority as they are in charge of signage on that stretch,” he said.
"At KR Puram, the signage suggests a better option as the road before the bridge is always congested."
Urban infrastructure expert M N Sreehari said the Indian Road Congress lays down guidelines regarding road signs.
They should not be placed haphazardly, and only one board should be installed at a particular location.
“They should not be confusing. Proper lighting should be provided at night so that people don’t lose their way,” he said.
Mysuru problem
Prashanth B S of Mysuru Travel Agents Association says the problem is not peculiar to Bengaluru. “In Mysuru, there isn’t a single place where the signage is correct,” he said.
Mysuru is a must-see on the itinerary of international tourists visiting the city.
“Tourists need signboards with the distances indicated clearly. In many cases, the boards are not large enough,” he said.
Authorities should ensure that maps are displayed at important tourist attractions, so that tourists can navigate from one place to another easily, he urged.