Southern States - Karnataka   

Traffic system chaotic in Udupi

By Ganesh Prabhu

Udupi July 4. The traffic system in Udupi is in a mess. Frequent traffic snarls at intersections are not uncommon.

The absence of a proper traffic management system appears to be the cause for this.

Though traffic signals were installed with much fanfare at some of the main junctions such as Diana Circle and Hanuman Circle about two years ago, they are not functioning now.

This has resulted in a lone traffic inspector controlling traffic at Hanuman Circle.

The traffic jams have also contributed to pollution. Signal lights are functioning only in Manipal, and even here instances of motorists ignoring them are common.

According to the President of Udupi City Municipal Council, Chittaranjandas Hegde, the CMC had withheld Rs. 1 lakh that was to be paid to Bharat Keonics, because of the defects in the lights.

The CMC planned to install signal lights at Lions Circle and Kalsank, but only if the company gave a five-year guarantee and also agreed to maintain them during the same period, he said.

City and service buses are driven at an amazing speed. There is competition among the bus drivers to reach the destinations on time, resulting in over-speeding. There are no footpaths on the busy K.M. Marg or, in fact, anywhere in the heart of the city.

Pedestrians have to run for safety whenever they see an approaching vehicle. The CMC plans to make a small stretch near the Government Maternity Hospital a footpath. The zebra crossings, which were painted last year, are now not to be seen.

Part of the traffic problem is due to the narrow roads in the city. Though there is a one-way system in the city for service and government buses and other heavy vehicles plying between Udupi and Manipal, it has not helped in improving the situation due to the rise in traffic density.

The number of vehicles, especially two-wheelers, has increased at a rapid pace, which has added to the woes. Tempos are parked at Chittaranjan Circle and other places leaving the roads choked. Mr. Hegde said the CMC had asked the tempo operators to shift their operations to Beedinagudde, but they were refusing to do so saying that their operations would be affected.

Many unauthorised rickshaw stands have come up in different parts of the city, adding to the problems.

The citizens should also share the blame for the traffic problems.

There is a tendency to over-speed among two-wheeler riders. In Manipal it is common to see two-wheelers carrying three persons. Roads are in a poor state and this has made riding a nightmare. The CMC intends to take up only pothole filling and other small works till the monsoon ends.

Mr. Hegde said a meeting would be convened shortly with officials of the Regional Transport Authority and the police to find a solution to the traffic problem.

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