Bengaluru: Bellandur is synonymous with massive traffic jams on any given day and even footpaths have turned dangerous as kerb riding is rampant here.
“Motorists, especially two-wheeler riders, dread using this road as it is very risky. We can never be sure of reaching office on time,” said Mr Shiva Ranjan, a private company employee.
“I spend most of my time stuck in traffic, inhaling poisonous and polluted air. It is affecting my health, and I have been diagnosed with bronchial issues over the last few months, which I did not have earlier. I have blown up a lot of money trying on treatment and doctors have advised me to practice breathing exercises. If adults are facing such problems, I am sure schoolchildren going on this route will have definite health issues,” Mr Ranjan said.
Bellandur is one of the severely affected areas, like JC road, Nimhans and BTM Layout. The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board should install pollution recording instruments and plant more trees to decrease pollution, he said.
The footpaths are broken and to add to pedestrians’ woes, construction material, like stones, cement and sand, is dumped on the footpaths, making it impossible for pedestrians to walk safely, said Mr Vinayak, another private company employee.
“Footpath riding is rampant, putting the lives of pedestrians in danger. When it rains, drains overflow and the road gets submerged, turning the stretch into a death trap. The BBMP should repair broken footpaths immediately,” he said.
Ms Nazma, a pedestrian, said, “Narrow stretches are causing traffic jams on Sarjapur Road. Two-wheeler riders move through broken parts of the divider and ride on the opposite side, causing inconvenience to all motorists. They also ride on footpaths and put us in danger. We have to be careful even while walking on footpaths.”
A BBMP engineer said that broken footpaths will be repaired and made pedestrian-friendly. On traffic jams, he said that traffic policemen are posted to ensure smooth flow of traffic.
