Mangalore: Missing Signal Lights - Traffic Congestion Here to Stay?
By Prakash Samaga
Pics: Savitha B R
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS/SB)
Mangalore, May 28: After continued initiatives by the traffic police to decongest the traffic at several major locations in city, chaos caused by traffic congestion at PVS and Bendorewell circle continues to annoy commuters on a daily basis.
Very recently the PVS circle was concretized and set free for vehicle users. But as the traffic lights have not been placed to the roads connecting the circle, it has resulted in chaos.
As almost all the roads in city are getting concretized, PVS road was closed and concretization was taken up last December. It took three months and the work was completed in the month of March. Traffic was allowed, but the installation of traffic light which was supposed to be carried out hand-in-hand with the road construction works is still not taken up.
After Hampanakatta, Jyothi, PVS circle is one of the busy traffic junctions. Main roads like M G Road, K S Rao Road and Kudmal Rangarao Roads culminates at this circle.
In present situation, this circle is free from traffic signal and vehicle users and pedestrians are facing problems. During peak time the road block is become a common phenomenon. Police also are finding it difficult to control the traffic here as most of the buses enter the city or bus stand through the circle.
Even the story of Bendorewell circle is not different, The most hit by this traffic problem are pedestrians. They are forced to take self decisions on roads as there is no instruction for them. Some are seen holding their hands with their family members or friends and crossing the roads. If they delay even a fraction of second, they will be awaiting there for the next few minutes. If signal was systematically placed, it is equally useful for pedestrians as there will be signal jam for few minutes with the object to comfort pedestrians. But here at PVS and Bendorewell it has become a common scene to witness children and elderly struggling to cross the roads.
When contacted Mangalore City Corporation Dr K N Vijayprakash, he said that the MCC has reserved Rs 5 crore for the management of traffic in city. The places where signal are to be placed have already been earmarked. But when asked about the date of initiating of the work, he said that the work has to be undertaken with joint efforts by the MCC and police department. He said the problem will be sorted out soon for public convenience.