Bengaluru: In April, when the traffic police closed the Aiyappa Temple underpass near Madiwala to decongest Hosur Road, it had evoked a mixed response from daily commuters. Those going towards Electronics City and coming from Sarjapur Road were the worst affected as their travel time got extended by at least 10 minutes.
While those going to Electronics City had to go via Madiwala Market Road, those coming from Domlur had to continue towards Kendriya Sadan from Water Tank Junction, instead of taking a right turn.
However, within weeks, the new redesign proved beneficial as vehicles no longer piled up on Hosur Road. Even during peak hours there was free movement of vehicles.
However, all this was short lived, thanks to BBMP. The civic agency, which clearly lacks a plan, decided to lay a cement road in front of Madiwala Market, soon after the traffic police changed the traffic plan.
Although the Market Road laying works were proposed last year at the cost of '4.7 crore, the BBMP has failed to complete the works even after several months. Initially, the cement road was expected to be laid within a month; however, citing delay in release of funds and rains, it is still far from complete.
Because of this delay the traffic on Hosur Road has returned to its chaotic way with vehicles piling up all the way from St. John’s signal up to Nimhans. Travelling through this road is a nightmare even during peak hours.
Moreover private buses, especially those plying to Salem and Krishnagiri, make random stops all through the road and add to the traffic woes. The traffic police, which had almost found a solution to the traffic problem on this stretch, are now waiting for the BBMP to complete the road work in order to close the underpass road, again.
