Commute

Nearly two weeks ago, a major chokepoint in city's north-eastern fringes was eliminated when citizens starting driving over the Whitefield-Kadugodi railway overbridge. The bridge connects the Kadugodi-Seegehalli-Kannamangala area north of the Whitefield Railway Station with the rest of Bengaluru city. After wait of nearly four years and a particularly excruciating two years, the clean, well-done road with bridge bounding walls nicely painted seems like a heaven-slapped fast lane for weary motorists here. It now takes only a minute to cross over what has been a 20-40 minutes detour, leading to an extra hour of road-time every day for most people…

The law says that helmets are compulsory, and that one should not drive a two-wheeler without a helmet.These gentlemen are totally law-abiding...they have not one helmet, but two!I'm sure they feel that their heads (and the brains inside them) are totally protected in case of an accident. ⊕

Many of you would have noticed the Iblur flyover opened yesterday. The Forward150 federation, Outer Ring Road Companies Association (ORRCA) is working with the traffic police to improve the traffic at the junction.The road leading to Bellandur from Iblur is being cleared and the diversions removed in a weeks time. Vehicles plying from Bellandur towards Iblur need to go on top of the flyover and land at Iblur village cross, vehicles plying from Bellandur towards Sarjapur need to take the left lane/service road before the flyover and turn left.Haphazard parking is a big problem, especially on the roads near Bellandur…

Even as the state government and BBMP recently made yet another u-turn on road-widening plans in Bengaluru, uncertainty remains over what is to come for properties that have been marked for acquisition.The state government and BBMP have announced that marking of roads for widening will be suspended. File photo. The Ring Road Property Owners' Association (RRPOA) for one believes that this is just a “trick” as no orders have been given in writing. Core Committee Member of RRPOA, Venkatesh Murthy says, “They should withdraw this (road widening plans) in writing, then only it will be official, not orally.” However, BBMP…

Viswanath Seetharam, general secretary, Outer Ring Road Companies' Association (ORRCA) shares the following information.The agara flyover while coming from HSR BDA Complex towards Iblur is open. The second flyover at agara for vehicles moving from Iblur side towards Silkboard is yet to be completed and may take a couple of months more. Also, the vehicles plying from Iblur towards Silkboard will be allowed to go straight from today in the road between the two flyovers at Agara junction. Earlier the vehicles had to take a compulsory left turn at 27th Main. Vehicles that may need to go to HSR/Agara have…

At a recent BBMP council session, BJP corporator Y N Ashwath (Kempegowda, Ward 1) said, “There are so many stars in the sky. But it's the moon that is most visible. Just like our Mayor!” Mayor S K Nataraj (elected from Sarakki, Ward 179) has been witness to many such limericks, potshots and several bouts of anger from Bengaluru corporators, during council sessions. He doesn't have it all that easy. Mayor S K Nataraj. Pic: Vaishnavi Vittal. Two months into his tenure Nataraj has gotten down to brass-tracks to address problems in the city. He regularly conducts inspections and appears…

It's a classic case of putting cart before the horse and getting away with it. The Jayanagar Traffic and Transit Management Centre - a fancy name for a new bus stand located in a multi-storey building - was inaugurated in August 2009. The cost was around Rs.12 crores. It was a classic sarkari ceremony with the chief minister cutting the ribbon, transport minister attending, and the works. The media was happy to report it too.The centre has space for offices in the second and third floors and a swanky terrace parking lot for the public on the fourth level. They…

Schools have reopened this week, just yet another excuse for jams. This jam on Harlur Road was nearly impossible to clear for a while, because vehicles in one direction clogged the road. An autorikshaw trying to turn back pushed a bike into the ditch. There was no space for the vehicles in the opposite direction coming in from Sarjapur Road to move on. A gridlock. Similar situation on Sarjapur Road... An all too common occurrence. Small roads, small jams; Bigroads, bigger jams. ⊕

We residents of JP Nagar have seen articles pertaining to requests for BMTC services in the newspapers. During the "Know your Candidates" BBMP election debate organised by Citizen Matters, some participants also raised the same concern.I invite all like-minded residents of JP Nagar to come together and form a forum to jointly voice our concerns to BMTC. A large group will have strength and voice. Contact me at 9916781877.   ⊕

One of the oldest bazaars, Gandhi Bazaar which is frequented by thousands and which is also a popular meeting point for the residents of Basvangudi, is today a bustling, noisy, chaotic 'thoroughfare', unsafe for shoppers. Thanks to heavy traffic. BMTC buses, trucks, and ‘all wheelers' make it a point to speed their way. Mowing down shoppers, making it a hazard for pedestrians. During festival time it is most dangerous and annoying.Shopping is also leisure time activity and the area is a social meeting point, especially for senior citizens and women with children. Shopping is meant to be pleasure and fun,…