Will Address Traffic Congestion: Minister

BENGALURU:  The IT hub which was criticised by the international media as a ‘garbage city’ has now got another infamous tag as the ‘traffic congestion capital’

At a programme to mark Crime Prevention Month at the Commissioner’s office here on Wednesday, Home Minister G Parameshwara said, “Investors have backed out from investing in the city questioning the poor traffic movement here. The city police have managed to maintain law and order, but the main drawback of the city now is traffic congestion.”

“I do understand that there is lack of infrastructure. The city is growing rapidly and new extensions are coming up. With long- and short-term plans we are also focusing on providing better roads in city,” the Home Minister said.

“The city police are also striving to decongest traffic with short-term plans. Schemes like carpooling, staggering of office and school timings and promoting public transport are being used as different strategies. We are also considering to speak to factories and companies to start mass transport system effectively like how HAL and BEML had it in the past,” he said.

“We will also be closely watching developments in Delhi on how the odd-even formula will work out. If necessary we will consider implementing it in Bengaluru too,” he said.

The law and order department of the city police will be provided 1,000 motorcycles for patrolling and better policing, he added.

“Though the city police are doing a good job, there have been many complaints about policemen taking bribes to register FIRs. If such cases are brought to my notice, stern action will be taken,” Parameshwara said. “We will also be coming up with additional FIR kiosks in city to help public register complaints,” he added.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com