Koramangala: Motorists’ nightmare

Koramangala, situated in the south-eastern part of the city, has a mix of luxury apartments, commercial structures, and posh bungalows. A commercial hub, there are problems aplenty. Though several months have passed since the drainage work near Koramangala Forum Mall was taken up, it is yet to be completed. As a result, pedestrians and commuters face a harrowing time navigating the stretch. With construction material dumped on the road, traffic jams are a regular feature

Bengaluru: While political leaders make all sorts of promises during elections, they are seldom kept. The civic works in the city are so clumsily executed that hardly any effort is being made to ease the life of pedestrians and commuters.

The drainage work near Koramangala Forum Mall was taken up early this year, but even after several months it is not complete and the pedestrians and commuters’ movement is severely affected. The road is home to malls, offices, and it witnesses heavy traffic volumes.

Shwetha Sharma, an employee with a private bank in the same area said that the highway opposite the mall remains choked with vehicles and inter-state buses plying round the clock.

“There are construction material on the street, but the police instead of controlling traffic are busy finding ways to fine those not wearing helmet! The management of traffic and civic issues are dismal,” she added.

The debris lying on the road not only impedes free flow of the traffic movement, but is also life threatening for motorists.

“The lack of lane discipline, the continuous honking by taxi drivers and their vitriolic abuses makes two-wheeler riding stressful. The bricks lying on the road could lead to accidents,” Sharma said.

In addition, the entire lane in Koramangala Blocks 6 and 5 are poorly lit and despite the deadline set by the Mayor last year to replace the non-functioning streetlights this was not followed.

“Yes, in fact in many places the existing streetlights have not been replaced with LEDs. Even at  places like near Sapna bookstore, where LEDs are in place, they do not function. Most of the places in Koramangala are poorly lit,” said Maheshappa, a gym instructor and a local resident.