Bengaluru’s traffic has gained notoriety across the country. As monsoon draws near, it’s not just citizens who are dreading snarls and long commutes, but also the police. In an attempt to tackle the menace, the Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) launched a special drive to identify problem points, and sent a report to civic agencies and all departments concerned.
P. Harishekaran, Additional Commissioner of Police (traffic), said that as many as 221 locations across the city have been identified as problem spots. Apart from that, Bengaluru needs 86 skywalks and foot-overbridges. The police also identified 45 spots that see frequent water-logging, which need to be adressed.
Other civic works that need immediate attention include upgradation of pedestrian crossing at 213 locations, junction improvements (478 locations), and completion of pending civil work at 292 locations. The police also noted that electrical poles have to be relocated at 97 spots and transformers at 76 spots.
“With regard to accidents, we have identified 47 black spots. Street lights are required at 105 locations, and bus bays have to be shifted,” said a senior police officer.
To prevent accidents, the police say that 207 scientifically designed road humps are needed while the problem of another 131 badly-designed ones has to be addressed. Construction of high-raised pedestrian crossings and clearing of garbage black spots are other solutions suggested in the report.
“These issues, if resolved, will lead to decongestion of traffic movement in the city,” said Traffic Police Commissioner P. Harishekaran. “We have also requested BBMP officials to identify potholes and fill them before the rainy season, as it could help avoid fatal accidents.”
The traffic police have taken up a drive to clear pavements of encroachments to make them pedestrian friendly.