There is no respite from traffic congestion at Hampankatta Junction as the police are yet to act on a suggestion from the public to reverse one-way traffic movement on Milagres Cross Road.
The suggestion was made during a transport adalat held at the office of the Road Transport Officer on July 10. It was pointed out that vehicles proceeding towards K.S. Rao Road from Balmatta can be allowed to take a left turn at Milagres Cross Road and reach Falnir Road. This will prevent motorists to reach K.S. Rao Road without obstructing traffic at Hampankatta Junction.
Hanumanth Kamath from Nagarika Hitrakshana Samiti said the issue of reversing the one-way was not only raised at during the transport adalat but also in the Road Safety Meeting held an year ago. “The delay only shows lack of concern of police to problems of commuters,” Mr. Kamath said.
Wait till sunny days
Following this suggestion, the city police held a meeting with officials of the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC). “We will think of reversing one-way only after the monsoon. We need railings on the footpath. There are other arrangements that we have asked the MCC to make. Only after that we can experiment,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime and Traffic) D. Dharmaiah.
An MCC official said the police did not formally communicate with the corporation on the issue.
Now, vehicles coming from Balmatta have to take a left turn at Hampankatta Circle and then take a U-turn to join vehicles from Falnir and go towards K.S. Rao Road.
This was leading to traffic jams at the busy junction. Around 5,000 vehicles pass Hampankatta Junction every hour during the peak time in morning and evening. The police have hard time manning traffic Wednesday following a marked increase in vehicles between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
No free left
Regular users of the road are for the change in the movement of vehicles on Milagres Cross Road. “This should have been done a long time ago. Everywhere left turn is always free. It is only on this road that this is not been done,” said Maren D’souza.
Another motorist John Pinto said such a reversal will create congestion near Milagres Church.
“But it will not be a problem as Falnir Road is wide at the junction. It is not so at Hampankatta Junction,” Mr. Pinto said.
