Traffic cops stand tall on Whitefield D-day
Out in full strength, with help from wardens, they did a stellar job in the face of numerous obstacles, to make sure motorists were inconvenienced as little as possible
It was 8.30 am on a dusty Monday morning — the beginning of peak-hour traffic for commuters in Whitefield — and braving the scorching sun were no less than 75 traffic policemen on the roads. Why? Because it was the first weekday following the implementation of the significant changes made at Graphite India junction, Whitefield road junction, and Hoodi junction, in an effort to decongest traffic, and the police would finally be able to get a clear picture of whether or not the plan was working.
The bulk of techies and other working-class professionals travelling to various parts of Whitefield and K R Puram using the newly-enforced routes would prove to be the litmus test.
“It is only natural to expect a certain level of confusion and chaos during the first few days of the plan, especially considering that a lot of motorists were unaware of the changes until they left their homes on Monday. We’re giving the system about seven to 10 days before the public settles into the changes comfortably and are able to move around without uncertainty,” DCP (Traffic - East) M N Babu Rajendra Prasad told Mirror.
Explaining that no changes could be expected overnight, the DCP said that the proposal to make certain two-lane roads one-ways had only been made after careful consideration.
“We are aware that motorists may feel that certain intersections get clogged due to the introduction of new one-ways, but this is why we require the roads to be widened to help make the plan more effective. Also, senior and junior officials alike have spent months conducting spot inspections, coming up with blueprints, modifying proposals, conducting trials, and finally reaching a conclusion. This plan is not the result of brainstorming over one or two days,” Prasad added.
Whitefield and K R Puram traffic police inspectors L V Thejaswi and R M Ajay Kumar were among those going back and forth between the major junctions to ensure the situation was under control.
“Our dry run during the weekend was fantastic, but of course, we knew we could only expect proper results on Monday. We have put up several hoardings and billboards everywhere to inform commuters about detours, closed roads, streets converted to one-ways, etc. Extensive planning and collaboration with the members of Whitefield Rising has finally borne fruit. There were some pile-ups during peak-hour caused by confused motorists, but it subsided soon enough,” Thejaswi said.
“Peak hour in Whitefield and K R Puram in the mornings lasts from 8:30 - 11 am and between 5:30 – 8 pm in the evenings,” Ajay Kumar explained.
Kumar said a lot of motorists were confused about the one-ways and that they had to stop several two-wheelers from riding the wrong way, especially on Hoodi main road. However, he is of the opinion that common sense will soon prevail and commuters would soon get accustomed to the changes.
Read: Initial hiccups aside, optimism reigns supreme in Whitefield
Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) B Dayananda “We have implemented this plan on an experimental basis only after various discussions with senior police authorities, traffic experts, and of course, motorists themselves. We have taken into consideration their suggestions, and using our proficiency, have modified and come up with this proposal. Of course, people need time to adjust to the changes which have been made not in one, but many roads. As for pedestrians, we need to conduct more studies in the area and come up with better solutions for them. Once the circumstances stabilise and the majority is familiar with the new routes, only then can all commuters reap the full benefits of our efforts. We have done everything within our means like distributing pamphlets, visiting offices and tech parks to create awareness about the new plan, and installing billboards and hoardings. The condition of the roads in many places is not good, and there are other aspects that require the involvement of the BBMP. We will go about with this accordingly.”
Read: It’s a start, but not a long-term solution
People who liked it
I’ve spent the last six years driving on the 335 E route from Majestic to Adugodi via Vydehi Hospital. I left at 8am today and have been stuck in traffic for the last two hours; but I believe the changes made by the traffic police are long-term and sensible. Shrishail, 37, BMTC driver
I ride my motorcycle from Sarjapur Road every day and I must say I’m happy with the changes. They will help decongest traffic over time. I don’t mind travelling an extra few kilometres to reach my destination as long as I don’t get stuck. Puneet, 27, techie
I use a bicycle to get to work. It generally takes me 15 minutes to reach my office in Prestige Shantiniketan, but the new plan looks to be working. However, I think widening of roads or construction of underpasses or flyovers is a must. Vikram, 40, principal engineer
Having been involved in the planning to improve the flow of traffic in the city, I can safely say that the changes made to Whitefield by the traffic police are well thought of and will certainly help commuters after they get used to it. VP Jayakumar, 42, traffic expert
I used a slightly different route on Monday morning fearing traffic pile-ups everywhere else due to the implementation of the new proposal. My colleagues, however, were impressed with the plan and told me the traffic situation has improved. Prakash M, 37, senior techie
People who didn't like it
I generally catch a bus from my house and get off near Graphite India junction, but the bus isn’t allowed to stop there anymore. My colleagues and I are confused as to what to do, since the nearest stop is almost a kilometre away from our workplace. Meeliya, 34, marketing exec
I’ve been driving to Whitefield from Hennur regularly for the last three years. I’ve been stuck en route the Graphite India traffic lights from Hoodi for the past 45 minutes. It seems the roads are too small to accommodate these high volumes of traffic. Jeen, 40, technical writer
These new changes have created major problems for me. It took me a little over an hour to commute a distance of 2 km, and I had to travel an extra 4.8 km just to get back to where I started from because of the one-ways. Rajesh, 45, auto driver
I live in Indiranagar and work in ITPL. I was aware of the plan because I’d heard it on the news. However, I wasn’t very prepared to encounter the confusion. It’s 9.25 am and I’m late for work. Hopefully, things will be better while riding back home. Mayank, 29, techie
It was 8.30 am on a dusty Monday morning — the beginning of peak-hour traffic for commuters in Whitefield — and braving the scorching sun were no less than 75 traffic policemen on the roads. Why? Because it was the first weekday following the implementation of the significant changes made at Graphite India junction, Whitefield road junction, and Hoodi junction, in an effort to decongest traffic, and the police would finally be able to get a clear picture of whether or not the plan was working.
The bulk of techies and other working-class professionals travelling to various parts of Whitefield and K R Puram using the newly-enforced routes would prove to be the litmus test.
Confident about the long-term benefits the changes would bring to motorists in Whitefield, yet nervous about the public’s willingness to accept the implementation, numerous traffic officials ranging from the deputy commissioner of police (Traffic-East) to constables were present at all major junctions, intersections, and divider-breaks, tirelessly managing vehicular movement and helping motorists out with the routes to be followed.
“It is only natural to expect a certain level of confusion and chaos during the first few days of the plan, especially considering that a lot of motorists were unaware of the changes until they left their homes on Monday. We’re giving the system about seven to 10 days before the public settles into the changes comfortably and are able to move around without uncertainty,” DCP (Traffic - East) M N Babu Rajendra Prasad told Mirror.
Explaining that no changes could be expected overnight, the DCP said that the proposal to make certain two-lane roads one-ways had only been made after careful consideration.
“We are aware that motorists may feel that certain intersections get clogged due to the introduction of new one-ways, but this is why we require the roads to be widened to help make the plan more effective. Also, senior and junior officials alike have spent months conducting spot inspections, coming up with blueprints, modifying proposals, conducting trials, and finally reaching a conclusion. This plan is not the result of brainstorming over one or two days,” Prasad added.
Whitefield and K R Puram traffic police inspectors L V Thejaswi and R M Ajay Kumar were among those going back and forth between the major junctions to ensure the situation was under control.
“Our dry run during the weekend was fantastic, but of course, we knew we could only expect proper results on Monday. We have put up several hoardings and billboards everywhere to inform commuters about detours, closed roads, streets converted to one-ways, etc. Extensive planning and collaboration with the members of Whitefield Rising has finally borne fruit. There were some pile-ups during peak-hour caused by confused motorists, but it subsided soon enough,” Thejaswi said.
“Peak hour in Whitefield and K R Puram in the mornings lasts from 8:30 - 11 am and between 5:30 – 8 pm in the evenings,” Ajay Kumar explained.
Kumar said a lot of motorists were confused about the one-ways and that they had to stop several two-wheelers from riding the wrong way, especially on Hoodi main road. However, he is of the opinion that common sense will soon prevail and commuters would soon get accustomed to the changes.
Read: Initial hiccups aside, optimism reigns supreme in Whitefield
Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) B Dayananda “We have implemented this plan on an experimental basis only after various discussions with senior police authorities, traffic experts, and of course, motorists themselves. We have taken into consideration their suggestions, and using our proficiency, have modified and come up with this proposal. Of course, people need time to adjust to the changes which have been made not in one, but many roads. As for pedestrians, we need to conduct more studies in the area and come up with better solutions for them. Once the circumstances stabilise and the majority is familiar with the new routes, only then can all commuters reap the full benefits of our efforts. We have done everything within our means like distributing pamphlets, visiting offices and tech parks to create awareness about the new plan, and installing billboards and hoardings. The condition of the roads in many places is not good, and there are other aspects that require the involvement of the BBMP. We will go about with this accordingly.”
Read: It’s a start, but not a long-term solution
People who liked it
I’ve spent the last six years driving on the 335 E route from Majestic to Adugodi via Vydehi Hospital. I left at 8am today and have been stuck in traffic for the last two hours; but I believe the changes made by the traffic police are long-term and sensible. Shrishail, 37, BMTC driver
I ride my motorcycle from Sarjapur Road every day and I must say I’m happy with the changes. They will help decongest traffic over time. I don’t mind travelling an extra few kilometres to reach my destination as long as I don’t get stuck. Puneet, 27, techie
I use a bicycle to get to work. It generally takes me 15 minutes to reach my office in Prestige Shantiniketan, but the new plan looks to be working. However, I think widening of roads or construction of underpasses or flyovers is a must. Vikram, 40, principal engineer
Having been involved in the planning to improve the flow of traffic in the city, I can safely say that the changes made to Whitefield by the traffic police are well thought of and will certainly help commuters after they get used to it. VP Jayakumar, 42, traffic expert
I used a slightly different route on Monday morning fearing traffic pile-ups everywhere else due to the implementation of the new proposal. My colleagues, however, were impressed with the plan and told me the traffic situation has improved. Prakash M, 37, senior techie
People who didn't like it
I generally catch a bus from my house and get off near Graphite India junction, but the bus isn’t allowed to stop there anymore. My colleagues and I are confused as to what to do, since the nearest stop is almost a kilometre away from our workplace. Meeliya, 34, marketing exec
I’ve been driving to Whitefield from Hennur regularly for the last three years. I’ve been stuck en route the Graphite India traffic lights from Hoodi for the past 45 minutes. It seems the roads are too small to accommodate these high volumes of traffic. Jeen, 40, technical writer
These new changes have created major problems for me. It took me a little over an hour to commute a distance of 2 km, and I had to travel an extra 4.8 km just to get back to where I started from because of the one-ways. Rajesh, 45, auto driver
I live in Indiranagar and work in ITPL. I was aware of the plan because I’d heard it on the news. However, I wasn’t very prepared to encounter the confusion. It’s 9.25 am and I’m late for work. Hopefully, things will be better while riding back home. Mayank, 29, techie
