HSR Layout the new accident zone

BANGALORE: HSR Layout is soon gaining popularity as an accident prone zone in the city as illegal bus stands are mushrooming in the area. With the layout having important connecting fly-overs from Hosur Road to Sarjapura, the problem of illegal bus stops is heightened. Residents and bikers complain that BMTC buses stop at an illegal bus stop at the mouth of the fly-over, causing problems to the vehicles that follow the buses.The newly constructed flyover has a capacity of around 7,000 vehicles and with traffic flooding the area from all sides - the illegal bus stop is only increasing the problem. “Based on the speed of a vehicle ahead of you in traffic, you vary your pace. But what would one do when a huge BMTC bus stops right in front of you, on a down slope fly-over? It is very scary since there are no cops stationed here either,” said Murali Babu, a resident. Each day, there are about two accidents that take place in the area, because of the bus stop placed illegally. “The traffic police had announced that they would raze all the illegal bus stops in the area. However, in our area this problem still exists. There are no cops guiding traffic in the area either,” said Harish Raj, a shopkeeper in the area.Construction complete, raw materials lying aroundWhat has further made the problem worse for the area is that months after the construction work completed in the area, raw materials like sand, stone, bricks and mortar are lying around. On either sides of the road, the construction material has been left scattered, making it difficult for vehicles to make their way past. When questioned, the local corporator claimed that the problem was not the BBMP, but the contractors. Further, the traffic police station in the area remained empty between 2 pm and 5 pm. The circle inspector at Sarjapura, connecting HSR Layout claimed that unless the BBMP clears the mess, the traffic situation would not be solved.The regular traffic in the area continues to suffer because of the problems, that none of the authorities seem to have a solution to.