Bangalore: When attempts to stop speeding container trucks fail, the Madiwala traffic policemen just wait and watch. Within minutes, the drivers come running to them seeking help.
The underpass near Ayyappa Temple on Hosur Road in Madiwala does what even barricades fail. The poorly-planned construction of the underpass prevents heavy transport vehicles (HTVs) passing through it.
These vehicles most often get stuck at the entrance or on the mid-way of the underpass, hampering traffic movement.
A traffic constable attached to Madiwala traffic police station, on condition of anonymity, revealed, “Ever since the inauguration of the underpass in 2010, truck drivers have complained to us several times. In a bid to avoid detour through Outer Ring Road (ORR) to reach KR Market, most of them take this road. Majority of the vehicles are from neighbouring states and the drivers lament that the ORR route is long.”
The cop said that the traffic movement is severely hampered when these trucks get stranded at the underpass. He added, “In case a vehicle is struck at the entrance, traffic gets piled up at least 2-3 km and police have a tough time clearing the traffic.”
Based on drivers’ complaints, the Madiwala police have so far registered six cases on damage to trucks.
However, the BBMP justifies that HTVs and container trucks should take only the ORR route.
H C Ananthaswamy, chief engineer said, “The height of the underpass is 4.5 metres (14.76 feet), and any vehicle above this height cannot pass through the underpass. These vehicles are usually 5.8 metres high and we cannot build the road to this height as we will have to acquire more land. These vehicles should take only the ORR as they are not permitted within the city limits.” So far, the BBMP has not put a signboard to indicate that HTVs are prohibited.
