The traffic jam at the Kundalahalli Junction in East Bengaluru, owing to the construction of the underpass, may worsen in the coming days, the traffic police have warned.
Commuters were quite taken aback by the four-lane underpass work that kick-started two months ago as it began unannounced.
The project was proposed a decade ago, as part of a signal-free corridor to ease traffic jams at the junction.
But now, the construction has turned into a nightmare to those frequenting the area with the commuting time stretching to 90 minutes on an average.
According to traffic personnel, the traffic congestion is likely to increase once the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) starts building an island for underpass construction at the junction in coming months.
The junction may turn too congested with the presence of barricades and supporting structures. “We may have to close the road for some days,” said Siddalingappa, assistant commissioner of police, overseeing the project. “But we will provide the best alternative routes for commuters to ensure smooth flow of traffic,” he added.
The vehicles moving towards and from Varthur Kodi slow down at the junction due to construction.
The alternate roads are not commuter-friendly at the moment, said Siddalingappa.
“The BBMP should asphalt some of the alternate roads in Panathur and Chinnappanahali leading to Bellandur Outer Ring Road and Sarjapur Road. They are in the worst condition at present. Also, some of the suggested alternate roads are quite lengthy,” he added.
Some citizens are collaborating with the BBMP, MLA Arvind Limbavali and Bangalore Traffic Police to find solutions for the traffic chaos. One of the bus stops at Kundalahalli Junction was removed on Sunday, to expand the road so that more space is created for vehicles.
“There is another bus stop as an alternative to the one removed recently. The commuters are using that,” said Clement C Jayakumar, a Doddanekundi resident.
Meanwhile, BBMP officials said they are in the process of restoring some alternate routes, but the work has been slowed down due to elections.
Alternative roads
From Varthur Road to Thubarahalli via Outer Ring Road
From Varthur Kodi to Varthur, Gunjur, Chikkabellandur, Carmelaram via Sarjapur Road
From HAL main road to Yemalur, Bellandur Kere Kodi, Kariyammana Agrahara via ORR
From HAL Main Road to Railway Parallel Road, Chinnappanahalli, Doddanekundi Industrial Area and heading towards ITPB
Alpine Eco road from Graphite India Main road to ORR Rainbow Hospital Junction
Goshala road through Garudacharpalaya