Bengaluru: Bad roads, traffic major poll issues

Bengaluru: India's Silicon Valley offers tech solutions to the world, but struggles to manage its own traffic and roads. Many lives were lost due to potholes and the traffic condition worsened further over the last year. 

With the state going to elections, all political parties have taken up traffic as an issue and have promised to solve it. 

Mr Rajashekar, a resident of Cottonpet, told Deccan Chronicle, "We never asked for white-topped roads or Tendersure roads. What is the point of having such roads when major roads are pothole-ridden and get filled with rain water, inconveniencing the commuters? Don't citizens deserve better? Commuters have to bear with increasing traffic jams." 

Ms Megha, a resident of K.R. Puram who spends 4-5 hours commuting to her office at Electronic City and back, said, "Our vote will be clearly for those who have a vision to solve traffic issues. Commuting has become a major concern. Is it a rocket science to find a solution to increasing traffic?" 

Mr M. Boregowda, a Congress candidate contesting from the Basavanagudi constituency which is riddled with traffic and parking issues, said, "Good and traffic-free roads are important for any constituency. In Basavanagudi, our volunteers and I interacted with over 7,000 people. All of them complained about pothole-ridden roads and traffic and were angry against the incumbent BJP MLA Ravi Subramanya. They lamented that nothing is being done to address the issue. If voted to power, I will ensure pothole-free roads, white topping of major roads in the area, well-illuminated stretches and footpaths remodelled as per Tendersure standards."  

He said, "Flooding during rains is one of the reasons why roads get damaged. This problem has to be addressed along with proper scientific traffic management. Pod taxis will be introduced on main stretches to give a boost to the public transport system."