Lorry driver who killed pedestrian gets bail, cops root for overbridges

January 12, 2021January 15, 2019 by RW News Network

Following the death of another pedestrian at Iblur Junction in a month on January 12, the traffic police is pressurising everyone possible in ensuring that road deaths on Sarjapur Road and Iblur junction are minimised with proper overbridges and other safeguards. In the meanwhile, the lorry driver who ran over Doddamuniyappa and killed him at … Read more

Pedestrian grievously injured by bus at Iblur junction

January 12, 2021December 13, 2018 by RW News Network

On Monday, December 10, 75-year-old Gangadhara N Nayar, a resident of Suncity apartments in Iblur off Sarjapur Road was crossing the road in front of Columbia Asia Hospital at Iblur junction when a BMTC bus hit him. He suffered severe head injuries and was rushed to Columbia Asia hospital for treatment by the traffic cops … Read more

Top traffic cop inspects Silk Board; junction improvements working well!

January 12, 2021November 20, 2018 by RW News Network

Yesterday, Additional Commissioner of Traffic P Harishekaran visited Silk Board and the surrounding areas of Hosur Road, Madiwala, Bommanahalli and Mangammanapalya. Bommanahalli MLA Satish Reddy apprised the top cop about the traffic situation on Begur Road, Bommanahalli Main Road and Silk Board junction.

A number of measures were discussed, including the exploration of any government land available near Silk Board junction that can be used to park the buses and ease the congestion. There is a lorry stand behind the existing service road near Silk Board where the buses are parked. The top cop wanted to check if that is government land, so it can be used to make a bus station out there.

In addition, asphalting interior roads off Hosur Road and Outer Ring Road (ORR) are planned since much of the ORR traffic on Bannerghatta Road was using internal roads to reach their destinations due to the ongoing Metro work near Jayadeva junction. The other ways to expedite the widening of Begur Road was also discussed during the visit. The residents can hope to see better traffic management around the area from Silk Board junction to Jayadeva flyover in the coming days.

Top traffic cop inspects Silk Board; junction improvements working well! 4

In the last 10-12 days, the Madiwala traffic police has been doing a commendable job of easing congestion near Silk Board with a number of junction improvements. By shifting the Madiwala market, much of the road over there is decongested. Some more junction improvements are planned at Total mall side of Madiwala after the intersections of Bommanahalli and Begur Road are fixed.

Top traffic cop inspects Silk Board; junction improvements working well! 5

Top traffic cop inspects Silk Board; junction improvements working well! 6 — Removal of Madiwala market vendors

Top traffic cop inspects Silk Board; junction improvements working well! 7 — Madiwala market road where hawkers were removed from the central median

Top traffic cop inspects Silk Board; junction improvements working well! 8

After the Silk Board measures, the Madiwala cops now say that many of their fixes have met with success. Earlier, you had to wait for four signals before it was your turn to cross the Silk Board junction from HSR Layout. “Today, it’s possible to go past it after the second signal itself,” says a senior traffic cop. And this has been made possible through a number of remedial measures taken by the traffic police outlined below:

1. At Silk Board junctions, the waiting time for pedestrians will be a lot less as they will now be able to cross the road at every signal change unlike earlier. In addition, there is a barricade erected when vehicles use the free left turn at silk board from Bommanahalli. This way, the pedestrians are able to cross the road without much hassle as the traffic will be orderly.

2. The bus stop towards HSR Layout near Silk Board has been moved further away from the junction to avoid people clogging the area.

3. The timers that were under disrepair have been fixed at the junction to further ease movement.

Diwali effect: Pollution in HSR is ‘moderate to poor’

January 12, 2021November 15, 2018 by RW News Network

Call it the Diwali effect or after effect, but the pollution in Bangalore and HSR Layout that was largely borderline has gone up by three times… from 65 to over 160. That’s an oscillation of pollution levels from moderate to poor. And these are the readings at the Silk Board monitor, the closest to HSR Layout.

The highest reading in the last 24 hours came at 11pm yesterday at 162 (ug/m3) when the safety limit is to be below 60. Anything between 60 and 120 is considered moderate to poor, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. And these readings are taken from them. The next highest reading occurred at 8am yesterday at 128 and again at 12am today: 119.69. What is even worse is that even the 24-hour average was 86.62, 40% above the safety limit.

Diwali effect: Pollution in HSR is 'moderate to poor' 10

Diwali effect: Pollution in HSR is 'moderate to poor' 11

Diwali effect: Pollution in HSR is 'moderate to poor' 12

Diwali effect: Pollution in HSR is 'moderate to poor' 13 — The 24-hour average is still above the safety limit of 60, which is just as bad

The fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) is the most harmful pollutant as it not only affects visibility but also travels deep inside our lungs and cause cancer, strokes and so on. Despite the Supreme Court order, firecrackers went off regularly in HSR Layout, and the cops did not act on them. This was the case across the city as well, and this is the pollution that we all have to suffer.

Tell us, dear reader, what do you think can be done to arrest the air pollution? Should there be an odd-even rule here as well? Should only car pool taxies be allowed except the ones that go to the railway station and airport? Will air purifiers at home help? If you are an expert or have done your own experiments in air pollution that have reduced the contaminants in your house, share your story with us, so we can share it with the world. WhatsApp us (98805-85748).

Regulate traffic near Gayathri and Saibaba temple during festivals

January 12, 2021November 10, 2018 by RW News Network

When it’s festival season, both the Sai Baba temple on 19th Main and the Gayathri temple on 17th Cross congest the major thoroughfares.

Tweeting to the traffic police, resident Tribhuvan Krishnamurthy says, “Dear BTP, can you please regulate the vehicular movement and parking in HSR Layout?” He uploads a picture of a recent such jam on 17th Cross and says, “This was the situation yesterday at Basaveshwara Gayatri temple located in 17th Cross, 24th main, sector 1, HSR. Public park their vehicles at their will due to lack of regulations.”

Regulate traffic near Gayathri and Saibaba temple during festivals 15 — 17th Cross, Gayathri temple

Well, the regulations are there. No one is supposed to double park and triple park. And when they do,the tiger patrol should come calling and tow them away. Some residents have even suggested to the temple authorities to organise poojas during non-peak hours to contain the congestion.

Food trucks that were quite popular in HSR Layout have lost out because of this very problem. When they take over the footpaths, their patrons take over the roads too. And this leads to major congestion, upsetting both residents and the traffic police.

Bikers cut signals routinely at BDA flyover junction

January 12, 2021November 9, 2018 by RW News Network

Car drivers, but most frequently, two wheeler riders are routinely seen violating the signal rule at BDA Complex flyover junction. Recording this act and sending it to the traffic police, car driver Sharan says, “Unity in Diversity. Gumpalli Govinda from 0.20. All bikers break the rules with impunity here.”

Bikers cut signals routinely at BDA flyover junction 17

Bikers cut signals routinely at BDA flyover junction 18

Bikers cut signals routinely at BDA flyover junction 19

The remedy is CCTV that catch such offenders and fine them automatically. More than three such violations and their licence for the whole year should be cancelled. What else do you think can stop these violations, dear reader?

HSR skywalk inaugurated for the second time today!

January 12, 2021October 27, 2018 by RW News Network

Sector 1 doctor hit by 2-wheeler near Agara flyover; fractures leg

January 12, 2021October 26, 2018 by RW News Network

$Sector 1 doctor hit by 2-wheeler near Agara flyover; fractures leg 22$

A thirty-six-year-old doctor fractured her leg when she was hit by another two wheeler on Outer Ring Road near Agara flyover.

At around 7am on October 24, Dr Amrutha Chauhan was near the exit ramp of Agara flyover on Outer Ring Road in front of Green Bar & Restaurant when another speeding two wheeler rider collided with her vehicle. She fell on the road along with the scooter, causing grievous injuries to her right leg.

Sector 1 doctor hit by 2-wheeler near Agara flyover; fractures leg 23

One of the passersbys called for an ambulance and she was rushed to Columbia Asia hospital for treatment as an inpatient. A case of rash and negligent driving against Keshava, the rider of Honda Unicorn (No KA01-JA7581) is lodged by the HSR cops.

Dr Amrutha is a resident of Mantri Sarovar apartments in Sector 4. “I am still in the hospital,” Dr Amruta told Residents Watch. “Since it’s an open wound as there are multiple fractures and the bone had come out, the doctors are keeping me under observation before they can discharge me.” Recalling the incident, she said, “I was riding on the Agara flyover. I came on to the main Outer Ring Road and gave an indicator to move right and just when I was proceeding towards it, I was suddenly hit by a vehicle from behind.”

CultFit keeps its promise to RW – Shifts employee cars to a vacant site

January 12, 2021October 24, 2018 by RW News Network

In August, Residents Watch had sought out CultFit about the increasing inconvenience that both the residents and the Swabhimaana Tree Park visitors were experiencing on 15th B Main, Sector 3, as their employees were parking their cars all along the road.

CultFit keeps its promise to RW - Shifts employee cars to a vacant site 24

The management of CultFit promised to us that they were in the process of buying a parcel of land to precisely tackle this issue. And now, we are pleased to inform that they have kept their word. All the cars of their employees are now being parked on an empty site on 19th Cross, behind their administrative office building on 18th Cross. In addition, the dirty water from the office that was flooding the footpath has stopped too.

SOME PROBLEMS REMAIN

However, some problems remain. We urge them to resolve this as soon as possible too. The rooftop chimney of their office building faces the residential houses instead of the sky and over a dozen split ACs face the road, spitting out hot air towards the pedestrians. Since CultFit now owns the entire building, it is its job to ensure that they or the landowner shift the ACs to the terrace.

That’s not all. The residents are complaining that the CultFit gym on 19th Main in Sector 4 is causing major inconvenience to residents as visitors park all along the road, blocking their pathways.

CultFit keeps its promise to RW - Shifts employee cars to a vacant site 25 — This chimney points to the residential houses when it should be facing the sky

CultFit keeps its promise to RW - Shifts employee cars to a vacant site 26 — These split ACs should be placed on the terrace and not facing the road

Venting her ire on social media, resident Veena Bala writes, “We always have Cult Fit members parking right in front of our gate. No amount of complaints to them with pictures of their members parking has been obliged. And none of their centres have parking, so all their members park on the roads, blocking traffic, and many right in front of the gate where we cannot even get our vehicles in or out. We have to wait till their members finish the class. And again if we are not outside, another member will park and go.” An easier way to tackle this problem is if CultFit goes for ‘valet parking’ here just the way they have it at their corporate office on 18th Cross. And if there are other measures, they could take, like buying a parcel of land just for their visitors, that would be great too!

‘Sector 6 to Ecospace took me 2 hours’

January 12, 2021October 3, 2018 by RW News Network

Unlike 20 minutes earlier, it took Mrs Biju Chacko, a resident of Sector 6, almost two hours to reach Ecospace in Bellandur just now.

'Sector 6 to Ecospace took me 2 hours' 27

Google Maps is telling us that the distance of around 9 kilometres can now be reached in 44 minutes because “fastest route now due to traffic conditions, and it’s getting better”.
Having just reached the office, Mrs Chacko was asking us, “Is there a problem on Outer Ring Road? Left HSR two hours ago and just reached Ecospace. There is bumper to bumper traffic.”
To all those people who are planning to use ORR, this will serve as a forewarning, so you can either postpone your travel plans or defer them.
UPDATEAt 1210pm, Google Maps is showing a 28-minute delay from Sector 6 to Ecospace, and this traffic congestion was first reported as early as 8am. Similarly, there is a 18-minute delay if you are taking the stretch from Jakkasandra to Ecospace.

HSR traffic inspector bereaved

January 12, 2021September 15, 2018 by RW News Network

HSR traffic inspector Rajashekar NH is on leave for a few days now as his father Dr Hanumanthappa NR expired recently.

HSR traffic inspector bereaved 28 — HSR Traffic inspector Rajashekar NH

All those who were trying to reach him can contact him from next week when he is expected to report to his office in Iblur.

An MBBS doctor, a physician to be precise, Dr Hanumanthappa was 75 when he breathed his last.

The inspector is right now in his hometown and is not picking up any phone calls, unless really important.

If the residents have any traffic-related complaints, it’s best to wait till he returns as there is no one at the station who can fix any important complaints that you might have.

The 42-year-old traffic inspector is in his hometown as part of his father’s last rites.

Accident at 22nd Cross-17th Main; most mishap-prone, say residents

January 12, 2021September 15, 2018 by RW News Network

Sector 3 resident Karunaprasad Kanavi was witness to an accident this afternoon involving three cars on 22nd Cross right in front of the house where he stays. This mishap happened before the showers inundated HSR Layout. Thankfully, no one was grievously injured in the accident.

“At this same spot, there was an accident on the first day of Ganesha festival in 2016, resulting in the instant death of a motorcyclist,” he told Residents Watch. “The residents have been asking for a scientific road hump on both the sides of 22nd cross and 17th Main junction for a long time in addition to a ‘no parking’ zone near the junction on all the sides.”

‘ONE OF THE MOST ACCIDENT-PRONE JUNCTIONS IN HSR’

The many reasons for this junction becoming accident-prone could be many. Says Kanavi: “It might be rash driving and speed. No one follows the ‘stop & proceed’ rule at this junction. There is no such thing like giving way to the vehicles. The drivers just want to proceed straight first and then take a turn. Therefore, road humps on both sides of the junction are required to reduce the speed at this accident-prone spot. It is a complete 90-degree turn (both left & right) for the vehicle users coming on 17th Main and joining the 22nd Cross. It is a partially blind curve and further compounded by the parked cars on all the three sides near the junction. It becomes quite narrow for the buses and trucks. Taking a turn for them is a nightmare here.”

We hope the traffic police take note of this and do the needful.

Accident at 22nd Cross-17th Main; most mishap-prone, say residents 29 — The accident on 22nd Cross

Accident at 22nd Cross-17th Main; most mishap-prone, say residents 30 — Scooter cruising like a speed boat, says Kanavi about this scene outside his house on 22nd Cross

Accident at 22nd Cross-17th Main; most mishap-prone, say residents 31 — 2016 Ganesha season – Spot death of a motor cyclist

Accident at 22nd Cross-17th Main; most mishap-prone, say residents 32 — Cops visit after an accident at the same spot in 2014

Accident at 22nd Cross-17th Main; most mishap-prone, say residents 33 — Minor accident in 2015