With many engineering colleges in the vicinity, Konanakunte Cross has become a prime traffic junction plagued with frequent traffic gridlocks and commuters have a harrowing time crossing it. The ongoing Metro construction work has added to their woes. Moreover, the BMTC has failed to ply an adequate number of buses to the area and hence most of them are overcrowded. In addition, it has also turned into a black spot with many vendors and nearby residents illegally dumping garbage under cover of darkness.
Bengaluru: Most engineering students in the city are familiar with Konanakunte Cross as it is one of the prime junctions of way to colleges such as KSIT, KSSEM and Dayananda Sagar Academy of Technical Education. But with an increase in number of colleges, long traffic snarls and deteriorating road conditions, commuting has now become a nightmare.
“There are many black spots in Uttarahalli and at the junction of Konakunte Cross, where in the evening one can see an army of vendors. The traffic becomes unmanageable by evening," said Alok Bharti, a businessman who has been residing in the area since 2010. When Deccan Chronicle visited the spot, Bharti said that since a lot of residents are on vacation and the colleges are closed, one can see a clear street, otherwise it Is riddled with gridlocks. “The garbage disposal system in some parts of the constituency is in shambles,” Bharti added.
Hundreds of vehicles pass by Konanakunte junction since the area connects to Kanakapura, which also is a hub of engineering colleges, and the ongoing metro rail construction is also affecting traffic flow.
A sea of vehicles from Banashankari passing through Yelchenahalli to Konakunte results in traffic congestion. “Most students are dependent on BMTC buses for transportation. It is imperative that the government gets more buses on this route. They often risk their lives to travel in the jam-packed buses,” Deepti More suggested. Many also said the private buses are not safe. Commuters felt if more BMTC buses ply on this route, the number of private vehicles would come down drastically.
"Of course, if the road is demotorised, the long congestion will improve. Metro expansion still has a long way to go. Before that deployment of more public transport vehicles is a must," said Nishant Achari, a local resident.
Achari added that the buses often tilt due to overload and hence more buses were required. "In Mumbai, passengers are asked not to stand at the gates for their safety. Isn't an overpopulated city? Why cannot we adopt the same mechanism? If something happens to anybody, should the government be responsible," he asked.
The area also witnesses garbage pile up in the evening as hawkers and the nearby residents illegally dump garbage on the footpath during the night.
