From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Feb 15: Home Minister Araga Jnanendra informed the State Legislative Assembly that the existing rules do not permit sanctioning a separate traffic police station in Moodbidri constituency as both road accidents and traffic violation cases are less than 200 per year.

Replying to a question from BJP member Umanath M Kotian in the Assembly on Tuesday, the minister said at least 150 to 200 traffic violation cases have to be registered to set up a traffic police station in a town or city as per the rules.

In Moodbidri, the number of road accident deaths were 14 while traffic violation cases were 75 last one year, Jnanendra said.

The minister said the existing police in Moodbidri have been managing the traffic. One highway patrolling vehicle too has been deployed in the Moodbidri police station limits.

Goraguntepalya Flyover

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai informed the Assembly that the Goraguntepalya flyover in Bengaluru City, which has been closed for motorists for 56 days now, will be reopened for two-wheelers and light vehicles in 2 to 3 days.

Bommai said the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which maintains highways, closed the flyover for movement of vehicles as the quality was not maintained. The poor quality of work of the flyover was the major reason for closure.

The NHAI has shut the flyover after the authorities found that two cables had rusted at the 8th Mile of the flyover during an inspection. Taking into consideration the safety of the passengers the flyover was closed, he said.

Replying to Manjunath R of JD(S) during the zero hour, the Chief Minister said the load test of the flyover was conducted.

Experts of the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, too inspected the flyover. NHAI engineers have said that the flyover was not safe for movement of heavy vehicles, he said.

Bommai said he would talk to NHAI authorities and take a decision on reopening the flyover for movement of two-wheelers and light vehicles in 2-3 days.

The flyover is a major link for districts of south Karnataka as well as north Karnataka. He too has written to Union Minister for Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari about the poor quality of execution works of the flyover, the Chief Minister said.

Earlier, Manjunath said the Tumakuru road has become highly congested and traffic jams has become a regular feature owing to closure of flyover. Despite the closure of the flyover for nearly two months now, toll was being collected.

He urged the State Government to take steps for reopening of the flyover at least for light vehicles, including ambulances.