Bantwal: Public confused over Proposed Traffic Diversion on NH 48
 
Report and Pics by Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (RD/SB)
 
Bantwal, Jun 28: Following Deputy Commissioner’s instructions to divert the traffic on Mangalore–Bangalore national highway 48 with effect from Tuesday June 30, owing to the execution of flyover and fourlaning works at B C Road here, daily commuters, especially students and office goers are in a dilemma. The reason for the dilemma is that all the vehicular traffic plying towards Mangalore will have to take a round-about route via Melkar – Mudipu to reach Mangalore. 
 
According to the directive, the buses plying from Uppinangady, Puttur and Vittal will have to take a diversion at B C Road junction and then divert to Melkar-Mudipu route to reach Mangalore. On the other hand, the buses plying from Mangalore to B C Road will have to park at Poonja maidan at Kaikamba here, which would serve as a temporary bus terminus. The buses plying from Mangalore to Dharmasthala will have to ply via Tokkottu – Konaje – Mudipu – Melkar to reach Dharmasthala. Further, all the light vehicular traffic to Thumbe from B C Road is expected to ply on Kamaje Road. 

Bantwal tahsildar C N Manjunath has already expressed that it would not possible to lay service road at B C Road, while circle inspector Nanjunde Gowda has assured that an existing lane will be opened for exclusively for plying of mini buses belonging to educational institutions, autorickshaws and two-wheelers. Besides, Gowda has also assured that local policemen will be on duty to direct the traffic into the congested city centre here. Meanwhile, Ircon contractor has assured that the works of flyover wil be completed within a month from June 30.
 
Need for temporary bus shelters at Melkar
 
Though the Mangalore bound traffic will be diverted to ply on Melkar-Mudipu route, it seems that the departments concerned have not made a proper arrangement to provide bus shelter for convenience of the passengers, who otherwise have to bear the incessant rains and scorching sun. Despite repeated demands of locals for a bus stand at Melkar, no permanent bus shelter has been constructed so far in the least. A make-shift bus shelter that was built in the past collapsed during the last monsoon.

Demand to close toll gate
 
The locals and daily commuters have urged to close down toll gate located at Panemangalore during the traffic diversion citing that the toll-gate has been causing traffic bottle necks daily at Nehru Nagar, Panemangalur. Moreover with the diversion, the public are of the opinion that the functioning of the toll gate may lead to further traffic congestion since the diversion would lead to more congestion.
 
These problems apart, it seems that the revenue and police department too have no proper information about alternative routes.