A solid white line on a busy multilane road, while not being intrusive, goes a long way in maintaining road discipline. Newly surfaced roads with no lane markings are often seen by motorists as a green pass to speed and cut lanes. But most of Bengaluru’s roads have little or no markings and uneven signage.
Take for instance, the network of roads at the beginning of Tumakuru Main Road at Yeshwantpur. The road curves and presents motorists the option of going towards Rajajinagar, into the World Trade Center and towards Peenya. With no lane markings and clear signage, vehicles often make the last-minute dash from the extreme right lane to the turning at left. “I use this route frequently, and I’ve seen this happen all time. You have to be alert at all times,” says motorist Rakesh Batra.
At the nearby Dr. CNR Rao Underpass, the split design has motorists confused. With no signage here, Mahindra, a resident of BEL Layout, says he ended up straight towards Malleswaram instead of taking the turn towards Mehkri Circle. “The cut in the underpass comes out of no where. There are no signs also. For a first-time traveller, it is confusing,” he says.
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Among the most confusing junctions is Hudson Circle. The right on Nrupatunga Road is immediately followed by two lefts (Cubbon Park and Kasturba road) as well as option for two rights: towards Mysuru Road and Mission Road. “With traffic moving in almost every direction, it is so difficult for someone to navigate to the correct road here,” says Shashidhar Mohan, who, after moving to the city, says he spent more than 30 minutes circling Hudson Church trying to find the right turning.
It isn’t just signage that could help ease the traffic chaos. At busy intersections, there are no directions imprinted along with lane markings. Without this, and lack of enforcement, most drivers tend to cut across lines, instead of sticking to the left for a left turn or heading to the right when they have to take a right turn. Similarly, without the stop line, motorists are oft seen edging forward in junctions, leading to difficulty.
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Simple policy decision will aid in better roads
Clear lane markings, including display of arrows (for instance, left arrows when there is a left turn) and a clear-cut stop line can guide motorists at junctions. Strict enforcement of lane discipline is possible when motorists violate these markings.
In the long-term, a simple policy decision will aid in better roads. Retired civil (highway) engineering professor from Bangalore University C.E.G. Justo says that lane markings and road signage should come under the BBMP rather than the traffic police. “Indian Road Congress has published multiple reports on this. This is an engineering issue and should be handled by the BBMP when they are doing the road, rather than the traffic police,” he says.
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PEOPLE SPEAK
Clearly demarcated lanes would be the first step in building a better system. Bengaluru needs a system as our entire city is unplanned. Demarcating lanes will lead to motorists being considerate to other Bangaloreans. But our mindset has to change too. Hennur junction, which is on the Ring Road (under the incomplete flyover) desperately needs lane marking.
Karan Machado, Kammanahalli resident
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There are no boards and lane markings at Attiguppe junction near Vijayanagar on Chord Road. Vehicles go from extreme left to right, and block traffic. There is no lane discipline at all, and demarcating lanes for turnings and a lane for vehicles going straight will help in enforcing discipline.
Bhargav Suryaprakash, Palace Guttahalli resident
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What Indian Roads Congress says:
Lane markings needed to guide driver on position on road
Directional arrows should be used to guide drivers in advance over the correct lane to be taken when approaching busy intersections
Arrows must be used 60 m from intersection
Road signs: needed at junctions or where it can help vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and persons with disabilities
Size of signs should be between 0.75 m to 1 m, and letters should be at least 100-mm long
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I’m new to Bengaluru, and I often drive from Hosur Road towards Tumakuru Road, and when I land up at Hudson Circle en route, I always get confused as to which road to take. The circle has seven roads in different directions, but there is no signage to point people in the right direction. I’m forced to change lanes at the last minute, or go around the busy circle, which sometimes takes more than 10 minutes for one signal. It’s also difficult to negotiate traffic coming from different directions.
Radha Venkat
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Travelling from Silk Board junction towards Sarjapur Road is a nightmare. There are a lot of flyovers, but there is no signage informing motorists as to which road leads to HSR Layout, or whether we should take the flyover or go under it. There are no white line marking lanes but only traces of the old Ring Road markings.
Vivek Prasad
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@relishingrascal The zebra crossings are not properly maintained
@IamAnjanDey Why many drivers follow centre of the road or the right-hand side driving? Do they lack confidence or driving rules?