After being partially successful in easing traffic in Whitefield by imposing a set of diversions, the city police are now mulling over making a six-km loop one-way and signal-free.
Police Commissioner M.N. Reddi visited Whitefield on Monday and discussed the issue with traffic experts, residents and police officials.
It has now been suggested that a six-km circular road in the area be turned into a one-way, signal-free elliptical loop starting from Old Big Bazaar junction. Motorists will have to move clockwise towards ITPL Main Road, Whitefield Road and exit the loop at Graphite India Junction, a ‘T’ junction where motorists can either divert towards Kundalahalli or K.R. Puram.
Senior traffic officials said such a loop would eliminate three major signals — Graphite India Junction, Hoodi Junction and Old Big Bazaar junction. These are the junctions where commuters complain of slow-moving traffic during peak hours. It takes nearly half-an-hour to pass through each junction.
With the loop in place, the traffic police said there will be only two signals in the area — one at Kundalahalli and another at Hope Farm.
Kundalahalli signal would also be eventually taken down, as a subway is in the offing by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike.
Mr. Reddi said such a loop was already in place on Residency Road and Richmond Road and the same model would be tried in Whitefield. He said wide-ranging consultations and studies would be held before implementing it.
However, not all are excited about the proposal. Traffic expert M.N. Srihari said a one-way, signal-free loop would work only if roads are close to each other and run parallel like in the case of Sampige and Margosa Roads in Malleswaram. He said a circular loop would lead to detours and traffic violations, as motorists may try to avoid a detour.
