BENGALURU: The Kengeri Satellite Town bus stand on Mysore Road State Highway, the Western gateway to the city, is in a state of total chaos as nothing seems to be in order. Vendors are found occupying the footpath and overflowing on to the road making commuters wait on roads for buses and people jaywalking on the road. A ride along Mysore Road State Highway across Kengeri Satellite town showcases how chaotic the locality is.
On any given day and at any given point of time you can find people walking on the road between railway station and the bus stand. Vendors occupy roads and footpaths leaving little or no space for smooth movement of vehicles and pedestrians. The absence of skywalk is also glaring in the area.
School children cross the road throwing their lives at great risk and so are senior citizens besides other pedestrians. Accidents have become order of the day in this part of the city.
Construction of Metro work has occupied a major portion of the road. The pace of vehicles comes to a grinding halt as one approaches Kengeri.
Parimala Kumar, a commuter on the busy road says it is dangerous to drive on the state highway, especially when women are on the wheels. The traffic cops and police have totally failed to bring discipline among the public in crossing the road. The BBMP is totally ignorant about providing for pedestrian infrastructure and access controlled movement for vehicles. This is not only causing safety issues but also slowing down pace of traffic on this busy road, she said.
Parijatha, a college student says it is totally dangerous to cross the road for students. Thousands of workers and students shuttle between Kengeri and core Bengaluru. But, the area has been totally neglected.
A traffic cop on condition of anonymity said the volume of traffic and the number of people in this area is large. Cops have a tough time controlling vehicles and the people. There should be a system where bus and train commuters should be streamlined through skywalks and pedestrian sub-ways. The interception of people with high speed vehicles on the state highway should be prevented. This not only ensures safety of pedestrians and motorists but also quick movement of people, he said.
