Bengaluru: In their zeal to improve road connectivity and traffic flow, the authorities have done little to ensure pedestrian safety. Five roads converge at Bommanahalli junction and for pedestrians crossing them is fraught with high risk.
In order to ensure better traffic flow to Electronics City and Begur Main Road, the government seems to have ignored the plight of people living and working in these areas.
“Residents just can't cross the Bommanahalli junction. Everyday there is an accident and someone is hospitalised. Primary school children walking to the government school nearby find it very difficult during peak hours,” said Muniyamma, a teacher of the same school.
“Parents have to accompany children, as they are too small to cross this junction, but working parents can't come every single day, can they?” she questioned.
The National Highway that connects Silk Board to Electronics City, towers above the junction, with vehicles moving in high speed. Residents say despite all this development, accidents continue to happen, on the flyover and on the service roads below.
“Four years ago, a subway was built to cater to pedestrians living nearby. However, it is poorly maintained with men urinating and drain water flowing into it during rains. At night men get drunk, smoke and harass women. It is highly unsafe, so no one uses it,” said Sandeep Kumar, another resident.
The area also has lots of factories and thousands of garment workers cross roads in groups in the midst of traffic. The traffic police present, only attend to the vehicles and not pedestrians, Muniyamma added.
“It is a five-road junction and people drive very fast on the national highway. Accidents happen every day, especially at night,” said Ramesh. Residents lament that accidents happen here with alarming regularity. With pedestrian safety low on the priority list, local residents dread crossing these roads.
NHAI manages junction, we don’t have any authority says Corporator of Bommanahalli ward
The Bommanahalli junction has become a nightmare for residents...
The situation is getting worse by the day, mainly because of the Silk Board-Electronic City flyover. BBMP has not been able to do much as the highway comes under the National Highway Authority. Getting nod for any work around this spot is difficult
Residents say the underpass built is unhygienic, unsafe and unusable...
Men come there to drink, smoke and sleep, which is why people don't want to use it. We have informed the police repeatedly. They promise to take action, but never do. They are short on staff and it will take another year for more staff to come.
Residents complain that the traffic police attend to vehicles, but not pedestrians and schoolchildren...
People are not supposed to use the junction to cross the road, as it is a highway. Because of staff shortage, we placed some home guards to stop people from crossing the road. But the home guards don't have the authority to fine people.
What can be done now and how long will it take?
We protested about this to the National Highways Authority. They have placed the flyover and forgotten about the people, leaving the local government with no authority to intervene. We proposed a skywalk and they agreed to build it. It will be completed in three months.
