This dangerous junction a nightmare for drivers and pedestrians

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: A junction where three roads connect SG Palaya, Tavarekere, and BTM Layout in Bengaluru has become a dangerous and unruly traffic zone. The junction, which was closed for several months for the construction of a new bridge, has now reopened without any traffic signals or police personnel to regulate the flow of vehicles.

This has led to chaos and congestion, with drivers often riding on the wrong side of the road and ignoring lane discipline.

"It's a nightmare to drive through this junction," said one driver, who works at a private company in the area.

"There are no traffic signals, so everyone just does their own thing. It's not uncommon to see people driving on the wrong side of the road or cutting across lanes without signalling. This leads to a lot of near-misses and accidents."

Pedestrians are also at risk at this junction. The sidewalks are often blocked by commercial establishments and on-road parking, forcing people to walk on the street. This is especially dangerous during peak hours when the traffic is at its heaviest.

"I'm scared to walk through this junction," said a homemaker who was purchasing vegetables.

"The traffic is so chaotic and there's no safe place for pedestrians to walk. I've seen people narrowly avoid being hit by cars on several occasions."

Wrong-side riding is a problem across the city, but it is particularly dangerous at this junction due to the narrow road and the presence of heavy goods vehicles.

The side of the road is often blocked by roadside food stalls, customers, and on-street parking, which further reduces the amount of space available for vehicles. This forces drivers to squeeze through narrow gaps, increasing the risk of accidents.

The Bengaluru Traffic Police needs to take urgent action to address the problems at this junction. Traffic signals and police personnel need to be deployed to regulate the flow of vehicles and ensure the safety of pedestrians.

The sidewalks also need to be cleared of encroachments and on-road parking, so that pedestrians have a safe place to walk.