Fed up with experiments: Bendoorwell - Balmatta traffic rules back to square one

Mangalore, Jul 19: Traffic jams were back at Bendoorwell and Balmatta junctions on Saturday with the police withdrawing its order on circular movement of traffic along the road connecting Bendoorwell Junction, Balmatta Junction, and Horticulture Junction.

Two weeks ago, City Police Commissioner R. Hithendra barred movement of traffic from Balmatta Junction to Bendoorwell Junction. He also barred entry of vehicles from Horticulture Junction towards Balmatta Junction and from Bendoorwell Junction towards Horticulture Junction. This was done to prevent traffic jams at Bendoorwell and Balmatta junctions– two of the busiest junctions in the city.

Mr. Hithendra withdrew this order on Saturday morning and restored the erstwhile traffic rules. “Problems outweighed the positive aspects of the new rule,” he said.

Restoration of the old rule slowed down vehicular movement between Karavali Junction and Balmatta Junction, leading to traffic jams at Bendoorwell Junction.

Motorists had a tough time negotiating their vehicles through the gridlock. “Traffic was smooth on this road in the last two weeks,” said Suresh Kamat, a motorist from Dongarkery.

A.A. Faizal, another motorist, said initially he found it difficult to take a circuitous route to reach his mother-in-law's house near Colaco Hospital because of the new traffic rule. “The hardship lasted only two days. But it was nice to see unobstructed flow of traffic on the route. I feel pity for the traffic constable,” he said.

Autorickshaw drivers too were not happy with restoration of the old system. “The circuitous route proved to be difficult for the passengers. But it had helped prevent jams,” said Basheer Ahmed.

The sudden withdrawal of the new rule did catch many motorists by surprise, more so because of the continued presence of sign boards indicating one-way movement of traffic.

Motorists coming down from St. Agnes College were surprised to see vehicles entering from Bendoorwell Junction and some had to evade to avoid hitting vehicles. Those coming down from Balmatta Junction towards Horticulture Junction too faced a similar problem.