Benz Circle, one of the busiest junctions in the city, is fast turning into a major traffic bottleneck, thanks to significant rise in the number of vehicles coming from all directions of the intersection.
Motorists are managing to drive easily, utilising free left turn at the nearby petrol pump, an under- construction mall and police sub-control kiosk, while those coming from Patamata road and intending to go towards Varadhi road by taking a free left turn are facing hardships due to potholes. “Taking a free left turn from Patamata to Varadhi Road at Benz Circle is a bone-breaking experience. God knows when this portion of the road will be repaired,” rues a motorcyclist, K. Srinivas Rao.
Traffic snarls are a perennial problem here. “Every motorist takes at least two to two three minutes to cross the road,” Mr. Rao complains, adding that heavy vehicles plying on this stretch contribute to the chaos.
The busy junction links the highways connecting Visakapatnam, Machilipatnam, Chennai and Hyderabad. Traffic police officials say vehicular traffic has increased manifold over the past couple of years as several commercial establishments sprang up on either side of the junction. The problem may compound further with one more mega shopping complex coming up at this junction within a few months.
Pedestrians too are facing problems while crossing the road. Many motorists stop their vehicles at zebra-crossing sinage earmarked for pedestrians. “It’s really scary to cross the road here because of the careless driving of vehicle owners. We request civic authorities to take up necessary steps to ensure pedestrians safety,” says a pedestrian Krishna Murthy.
When contacted, ACP Traffic S. Srinivas Rao suggested construction of a flyover would be ideal to ease traffic congestion at Benz Circle junction.
