Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, May 12: During weekends and special days, those travelling from Mangaluru city towards Bengaluru or Talapady after crossing Mahaveer Circle at Pumpwell are almost certain to get stuck in traffic at the junction. The problem is especially severe for passengers heading towards Bengaluru, particularly between 9 pm and 11 pm.
The main reason cited is long-distance buses halting on the road itself to pick up passengers.
A few months ago, after the public brought the Mahaveer Circle issue to the notice of police, personnel were deployed there to regulate traffic and ensure smoother vehicle movement. The system worked effectively for some time. Though staff are still present now, buses continue to stop on the road.
Representational image
Similar problems are seen in several parts of the city. While this is a major inconvenience at night, during the daytime it has become a common sight in most city areas. Citizens say the root cause is the lack of proper bus bays.
After being declared a Smart City, Mangaluru saw roads shine with concrete surfacing. Bus shelters became hi-tech. Swimming pools, stadiums and recreational spots increased. However, the city has failed to remove obstacles affecting smooth vehicular movement.
Though bus bays exist in some places including Lalbagh, they are either not systematically designed or discipline is not followed, resulting in buses stopping on the road itself. This causes hardship both to bus passengers and motorists travelling behind them.
At Lalbagh, buses heading towards Udupi and sometimes city buses stop on the main road instead of entering the bay, forcing passengers to run towards them. Meanwhile, buses coming from behind honk continuously, leaving some passengers frightened as they try to board the bus to their destination.
Despite these problems being visible, construction of bus bays has not progressed. Citizens complain that all procedures related to the projects have remained only on paper.
There has been a long-standing demand for bus bays in Mangaluru. Members of the private bus owners’ association have continuously pressed for their construction.
When Sudhir Shetty Kannur became mayor, some hope had emerged on this issue. Soon after assuming office, he had raised the matter and announced that bus bays would be built at eight places including near the KSRTC bus stand, Lady Hill, Kankanady Junction and Bunts Hostel.
However, only one project was implemented — in front of Govindadas College at Suratkal.
According to Sudhir Shetty, all eight bus bay works had been approved, but only one was completed. He said that soon after his term ended, all files were held back. He added that had there been no politics in the matter, bus bays and hi-tech bus shelters would have been constructed in many places by now.
The absence of bus bays has become a headache for traffic police as well. Officials say traffic jams in several areas are caused mainly because buses stop on roads.
Deputy commissioner of police (traffic) K Ravishankar said there has been a long-standing demand for bus bays and flyovers in Mangaluru. He said the police department had requested construction of bus bays at 53 locations and urged the Mangaluru City Corporation to take the matter seriously. He added that if bus bays were built, it would provide major relief to the city’s traffic congestion.