It is a daily battle for pedestrians

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, JULY 14. The busy Gandhinagar-Subhashnagar area is synonymous with chaos on the road. One of the main reasons for this is the location of Kempegowda Bus Stand, the City railway station and a number of cinemas, shopping complexes and government offices in the area. Moreover, its proximity to the Krishna Rajendra Market has made it the nerve centre of trade and business in the City.

It is said that there is a floating population of five lakhs in the area on any working day. The teaming pedestrians have learnt to live with the poorly-maintained footpaths and stagnation of water on the roads because of clogged storm water drains.

While pavements on some stretches of the Kempegowda Road were relaid a few years ago, the condition of those in the bylanes, which have hundreds of wholesale business establishments, is pathetic. The pavements are not user friendly. On some stretches, the stone-slabs on the pavements are missing, making on them hazardous. Hawkers leave very little space for pedestrians.

Mr. Ashok Dani, corporator from Ghandinagar, says: ``Things got worse when the pavements and roads were dug up to lay OFC cables. Last year, Rs. 20 lakhs was spent on improving the pavements, and this year we have sought Rs. one crore.''

Inundation of roads in Gandhinagar is a perennial problem because either the bylanes do not have storm water drains or the drains are clogged. Heavy traffic adds to the chaos. Most of the times, drivers race against time, posing a threat to the lives of the pedestrians.

The pedestrian overbridge on the Kempegowda Road resembles a neglected monument as it is rarely used by people. As the huge hoardings block the view from the bridge, people think it is not safe to walk on the footbridge. Mr. Dani says: ``This bridge has become a haven for anti-social elements. There are plans to remove this bridge as soon as the lease period ends in 2002.''

The pedestrian subway in front of the bus stand, which is under construction, will be inaugurated in August, according to Mr. Dani. But whether it will ease congestion on the pavement in front of the Sangam cinema remains to be seen.

The City will be hosting an international film festival in October. Gandhinagar, with a number of cinemas, is likely to be hub of the festival. The BMP has the daunting task of repairing the roads and pavements by that time.

Mr. Ashok Dalwai, BMP Comissioner, says: ``Rs. 2 crores is allotted for Gandhinagar. Plans will be chalked out to spruce up the area before the event.''

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