Traffic jams stretching upto a kilometre near Viveknagar have become a matter of grave concern for the motorists using the road as well as residents of the Viveknagar slum and the Traffic police (Ashoknagar Traffic limits) who man the traffic on this stretch.
But motorists seem to have no choice as vehicles coming from Koramangala, Ejipura and Adugodi take this route to reach their destination and Hosur Road is their only other alternative but not a feasible option.
Reason? The civic work being currently undertaken on this road leading to the Infant Jesus Church, Viveknagar, which is also home to innumerable poultry shops and vendors. The plan is to make it a concrete road and set the footpaths right.
Corporator of Shantinagar ward, S Vijayan says, “The public will have to bear with the inconvenience for another 15 days. We had to take up this work because this stretch was pothole ridden. Now if we concretise the road, it will remain in a good condition at least for the next 25-30 years. We are also laying tiles on footpath to make it easier for the pedestrians to use the road.”
Vijayan also claims to have used an additional grant of `2 crore for the repair work.
He adds, “We hope to finish this work before December 25, Christmas Day, because once the festivities begin this place is going to be chaotic as you will have thousands of people thronging the shrine.”
Other than the commuters, it has become an ordeal even for the residents of localities near Bazaar Street who feel that the pollution levels have increased drastically since this development.
Traffic police also seem to be having a tough time in controlling the traffic especially on Thursdays and Sundays; days considered to be auspicious to visit the Infant Jesus Church.
“There is some road work taking place and we have been told that the work will get over before 25th of this month. All traffic going towards Anepalya and Bazaar Street, Neelasandra end up taking this road. And even the alternative road is filled with potholes. It’s been a nightmare for the past one week especially between 8am and 12 noon and 5pm and 8pm. Even the vehicles heading towards Shantinagar take this route,” says a hassled head constable, Jayaram.
Another issue is that of motorists who park their two-wheelers near the signal since Bazaar Street is under repair and the police are also finding themselves in a tight spot.