The South Western Railway authorities and the Bangalore Traffic Police are holding discussions on whether to close the Pipeline Road in Vijayanagar Police limits in view of the ongoing construction work of an underpass that has been causing serious traffic concerns for people living in and around this area.
Residents around RPC Layout, Guddadahalli, Babujinagar and the surrounding areas feel that the prevailing traffic chaos here is an open invitation to death. The main traffic junction of Pipeline road, Vijaynagar has been witnessing construction works adjacent to the railway track for the past six months which has left a big deep hole going down approximately 50 feet.
“Almost everybody from the area uses this road. Anybody can end up in this hole,” says Pawan Jain, a businessman and a social activist who also feels that the BBMP is not at all worried about the welfare of its citizens.
Aravind, another resident of Vijayanagar is worried about school going children who use this road on a daily basis. “There are at least 10 schools within one kilometre radius of this construction site. There is no need for an underpass at this junction. But what scares most of us is the deep hole. If somebody falls into it, only god can help them. Commuters and pedestrians who are taking this route are also taking a risk especially at the turnings. However, they are now trying to put up barricades at a few places.”
Traffic jams are the order of the day. Pawan further adds, “Forty per cent of the area is covered with iron barriers and 30 per cent with wooden barriers and plastic ropes. The chances of skidding during the rains are high. The authorities concerned should analyse the problem and only then go ahead with the project.”
Dr S Raju, one of the corporators of the Vijaynagar area is aware of the issue at this particular junction on Pipeline road. He adds, “The underpass construction is in full swing but it will definitely take some more time for completion. But there was an urgent need for this underpass because at least 20 trains pass between Bangalore and Mysore everyday and we were facing complete traffic chaos. Adhering to a Central rule, that states that all railway tracks should be raised above the road level and should not cause any obstruction to the citizens, the Railways have taken up this construction work. We hope the work will be completed in six months.”
Closure of road?
The Southern Western Railway authorities started the underpass construction work only this year. Vasant Kumar Rahul, South Western Railway (Construction) Bangalore says, “We have received complaints from many quarters for not barricading the place. However, we have now taken up the work of putting a boundary at all corners. 85 per cent of work has been completed and the rest will be done soon. In fact, we are having talks with the traffic department to close the road completely till the work is done. Once the traffic police confirms on the diversion plan, this road will be blocked for some time.”
While Vanitha, Police Inspector at the Vijayanagar Traffic Police Station confirmed that discussions were going on with the Railway Authorities for either closing or diverting the traffic. “As per a preliminary survey, we cannot block the road all of a sudden because the underpass construction has not even reached half stage. Diverting vehicles is a tedious task and a long process. We can only do it step by step. The Police authorities are yet to give permission for closure,” she added.”