Development halts traffic at Okalipuram

BANGALORE: Development work near Angala Parameshwari Temple on Magadi Road has forced Traffic Police to divert vehicles towards Vattal Nagraj Road leading to eternal traffic jams at the already congested Okalipuram junction.Over the last few weeks, commuters and pedestrians are facing a nightmarish situation with the traffic moving at snail’s pace and jams stretching for kilometres together. Pedestrians are struggling to cross the road here as vehicles seem to come from all directions simultaneously and the Traffic Police personnel are having a tough time ensuring smooth movement of vehicles.Police Sub Inspector Srinivasa said, “Due to the drainage work being carried out near the Angala Parameshwari temple, the vehicles plying on that route has been diverted to this road, which has led to the increase in vehicular traffic here. We are working round-the-clock to prevent further inconvenience to the public.”Manoj, a student, said, “It is a harrowing experience to walk on this road as frustrated commuters, who are stuck in jams for long, tend to jump signals often. Footpaths are encroached by two wheelers.”  When City Express spoke to ACP Natraj, he said, “The drain pipe, which is almost 25-years-old, on Magadi Road is damaged and broken. BBMP is planning to build a new one. Hence, buses plying towards K R Market, Koramangala via Market Road, Peenya Via Magadi, Girinagar, and Srinagara can’t use that road. All those vehicles move on this road now contribute to traffic overload. We have no choice, but to wait till the work gets completed. And at the pace at which the work is being carried out, I doubt that they will meet the February 21 deadline. We are in constant touch with the BBMP on this subject.”The delay in work is inevitable. The contractor for this project, Thimmegowda,  said, “Before constructing the new drainage, the water pipe running along the drainage line needs to separated by BWSSB, who are waiting funds from the BBMP.”But  BBMP Executive Engineer Nagaraj said, “The bills have been submitted. Once the Commisioner gives us the approval, we will provide funds to BWSSB. But we have started work from our end, such as placing calcium sheets on the road and concretising it.”Meanwhile, BWSSB Engineer in Chief Venkatraju said, “We have invited tenders for the work (for separating the water and drainage lines) and the contractors will be zeroed in within one week. We are expecting `5 lakh to be released by BBMP around the same time. After funds are sanctioned, we will take not more than three days to finish work from our end.”As the buck is passed between various departments, tax payers are at the receiving end of their apathy.