Amid opposition from environmentalists, Public Works Department (PWD) has contended that the widening of Chamundi Hills Road is inevitable as the Passenger Car Unit (PCU), a standard set to measure the intensity of traffic, has crossed 9,000 per day in the city.
Now, the PWD is awaiting the Forest Department nod to take up the work. As per the traffic survey conducted in the last February, the PCU was 9,816 per day. Hence, it has taken 10 years projection while preparing the project.
Providing statistics in support of their justification, an official of PWD on condition of anonymity said that the number of vehicles plying on Chamundi Temple Road has crossed 9,128 per day.
This number will increase during the holidays. On an average, around 80 lakh people visit the temple annually. Even visits of VIPs are a nightmare for the traffic police.
“When any CM or DyCM takes charge in Bangalore, they visit Chamundi Temple and even on some special occasions like Ashada Masa and Dasara, many VIPs visit the temple. In such a situation, clearing way for them is difficult. This is also a major concern for the city police officials who strongly recommended for the road widening,” an official said.
This apart, on January 1 this year, the road was blocked for three hours as devotees thronged the temple. On the same day, District Minister S A Ramdas conducted a meeting of officials and took a decision to recommend the proposal.
“We are thinking mainly of public utility. There are short curves in the 1.5 km stretch from View Point to Mahishasura Statue atop the hill. Even slight negligence can cause accidents,” an official said, adding, “After widening, vehicles on their way back from the temple can take a deviation at View Point and enter the city via Nandi Road.
Work order will be issued to a contractor immediately after we get concurrence from the Forest Department.” Another project of Rs 4.5 crore for the upgradation of Chamundi Hills Road is pending before the government.