Dedicated Lanes Are Unscientific, Rue Auto Drivers
BENGALURU: While the Bengaluru traffic police are determined to enforce dedicated auto lanes, drivers are complaining about their 'unscientific' design. Earlier, the police had issued a notification that the lanes would be open from November 21. They then decided to give commuters and drivers more time to get used to the system.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) B Dayananda says it is now time. As soon as the system is enforced, complaints of violations by drivers will be registered and penalties levied.
Adarsha Autorickshaw Drivers' Union secretary Sampath is one of the many who are unhappy. Pointing to Kasturba Road, Sampath says in the morning, pourakarmikas sweep the road and heaps of waste are left by the roadside, on the dedicated auto lane. "We cannot drive if heaps of waste are dumped on the dedicated lane. This will result in traffic jams," he says.
Many drivers echo this complaint. "The narrow lane does not allow a safe space to turn," says Ashok, a driver. In case of the vehicle stalling for some reason, a traffic jam results, and a whole chain of autos would halt, with the possibility of collision, he argues.
Mohammed Shafiullah, another driver, says auto lane or not, potholes remain the biggest problem that drivers have to negotiate.
But some drivers feel the new rule will be good as long as it is imposed impartially.
Mahadeva, who has been driving an auto for 13 years, says two-wheelers should not be allowed to ply on the auto lanes. "Many bikers now use the dedicated lane, obstructing our movement," he says.
A few years ago, the police had taken similar steps and introduced auto lanes on the 400-ft-wide street from KG Road to Majestic. However, this turned out to be a failure.
This time around, the traffic police seem determined not to let their initiative flop.
But a traffic expert, associated with an organisation called Traffic Engineers and Safety Trainers (TEST), calls the move unwise and "a waste of public funds".