Gridlock on Madiwala Road: Intra-city buses cause stalemate, commuters frustrated

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: Madiwala, situated under ward 172 of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in Bengaluru's BTM Layout, boasts a vibrant blend of residential and commercial spaces, creating a dynamic local atmosphere.

With bustling streets housing shops and eateries for daily needs and green spaces like parks and community centres, it offers a well-rounded community experience.

However, amid this vibrancy, challenges like traffic and infrastructure linger. One major issue revolves around private intra-city buses navigating Madiwala Road.

These buses, travelling from the SarjapurMarathalli road towards Silk Board to exit the city, often cause gridlock traffic congestion.

As they wait for passengers, the buses, already contributing to heavy traffic, bring the road to a standstill.

This congestion becomes particularly pronounced during the evening, lasting well into the night, with commuters spending 15 to 45 minutes just to cross the junction.

Despite the presence of traffic police to manage the situation, the challenges persist. A fuel station employee at the junction remarked, "What can the traffic cops do? They can control the traffic, but they cannot make vehicles disappear in a snap."

Regular commuters also voiced their frustrations. A commuter revealed the irony of his daily routine, expressing that despite wrapping up work by 6:30, he doesn't leave the office until 10:30, as he anticipates reaching home around the same time.

In a wry tone, he added, "Well, at least it gives me the opportunity to catch up on movies and series using the office WiFi."

The traffic cop on duty explained, "We work 24/7 to control the traffic, and the signals are in perfect working condition. The footbridge is accessible, but the road, though broad, struggles to accommodate multiple intracity buses stopping for passengers without impeding the free flow of traffic for other commuters."

Madiwala faces multiple other challenges, notably a fragmented pedestrian infrastructure.

A resident highlighted the deficiency, noting the absence of pedestrian pathways beyond the footbridge at the junction and main roads.

He emphasised the repercussions of heavy traffic, explaining, "When main roads and junctions are congested, riders often navigate through narrow lanes and smaller streets, risking overspeeding. This poses a significant threat to pedestrians, particularly children and senior citizens, given the lack of proper pathways in most inner roads."

The polluted rajkaluve, or stormwater drain, is another pressing concern in Madiwala, posing both environmental and health risks.

Residents express apprehensions about the deteriorating condition of this water channel with one resident raising the alarm, stating that the rajkaluve has transformed into a source of pollution, becoming a significant health hazard for the area.

She elaborated on the visible environmental impact sighting of contaminants, debris and plastic waste in the stormwater drain.

She also is afraid that the contamination of the rajkaluve could seep into the ground, affecting the water quality that residents rely on for various purposes.

Despite routine garbage collection in the area, pockets of waste accumulate on certain street corners regularly.

Residents appreciate the scheduled pickups but note persistent cleanliness issues in specific areas.

Factors like inadequate bin placement or high foot traffic leading to increased littering contribute to these accumulations.