Kottara road junction traffic impact - serious concerns

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Sep 12, 2014:  Chaos and lack of control in the traffic system at the service roads adjacent to the flyovers at Kottara in City has created serious hazard for pedestrians and riders of smaller vehicles. The Kottara and Kuntikan flyover areas are a cauldron of confusions.

 

Ever since the vehicles started use of the Kottara flyover, traffic problems have increased at the service road. The junction where the four roads meet at Kottara Chowki, has been witnessing clear violation of traffic rules.

Large vehicles move according to the drivers’ whims and fancies, ignoring all road safety rules. As a result, minor accidents have become the most common feature in Kottara and Kuntikana, the local residents say.

A responsible resident of Kottara Chowki, said that from Kuntikan to Kottara Chowki, all vehicles at the service road below the flyover move freely, violating all traffic rules. As there is no cut between the divider, there is no space for the vehicles to cross the road. Hence, the vehicle riders are compelled to move on the wrong side. The absence of signal or traffic police, has become a boon for the traffic rule violators and it is free to all.

Furthe, the service road is ubfit for safe riding. The road work has been poorly done and unsafe. In rainy season, the riders and pedestrians are greeted by splashes when other vehicles pass by as water flows on the road. Meanwhile, as there are many vehicle showrooms at the Highway in Kottara Chowki, the vehicle users park their vehicles on the road, thus creating more problems.

Also, heavy vehicles are parked by the road side where the workshops carry out repair work, making it difficult for pedestrians to walk on the road. Another problem is lack of bus shelter in the area. The service buses as well as city buses board and alight passengers on the road. Sometimes, buses stop on the middle of the road, owing to competition between themselves, which puts the commuter’s life at risk. Accidents have been numerous.

Mangalore City Traffic ACP Uday Nayak speaking to Deccan Herald said that the issue was tabled at a road safety meeting chaired by the deputy commissioner two months earlier. A proposal has also been submitted by the Traffic department to National Highway Authority and the authority has given their consent to construct a service road. The Highway authority has assured of constructing a bus shelter in the area too, he said. The ACP further said that the absence of traffic police is due to acute shortage of staff .

Garbage Galore :  The waste dumped along the right side of Kottara Chowki junction, is causing unbearable stink and there are no garbage bins in the vicinity. The local residents and shopkeepers said that the garbage collection vehicle of Mangalore City Corporation doesn’t pass by and the problem of waste is increasing day by day. The scenario out here is serious and a grave danger to citizens, no action has been seen from the concerned.