Parking on road deals lethal blow

Irresponsible parking, commercialisation, and tragic accidents plague Geetanjali Layout and New Thippasandra; locals seek urgent intervention from authorities

Perhaps it may not be an exaggeration to say that the service road situated between Suranjana Das Road and Geetanjali Layout at New Thippasandra is one of the most misused roads in Bengaluru East, with truck drivers, cab drivers, irresponsible building contractors, and residents alike contributing to the issue. Though the traffic police are just a stone's throw away, regulating vehicular traffic near Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Junction, close to BEML and the DRDO Complex Junction, the truck drivers and cab drivers continue to park haphazardly on both sides of the service road. The residents allege that traffic police have done nothing to stop vehicles from parking on both sides of the service road.

It is reported that one of the senior citizens of Geetanjali Layout succumbed to serious injuries after a speeding car hit him while walking on the road.

The deceased is identified as S Muniyappa, a retired engineer. "I appeal to the authorities to construct scientifically designed road humps at this location to prevent road accidents. A senior citizen has lost their life in a tragic accident. The traffic police visited the spot and seized the vehicle," said a resident, requesting anonymity.

Demanding the BBMP authorities and traffic police to take measures to prevent the commercialisation of Geetanjali Layout, HAL 3rd Stage First Block Residents' Welfare Association General Secretary Ananth G stated that residents are unable to walk in the layout due to haphazard parking of vehicles on both sides of the crossroads and the service road.

"Muniyappa, who was killed in the road accident, is my neighbour. Commercialisation of this area has become a cause of concern for us. I want the concerned authorities to take measures to prevent the parking of vehicles on both sides of crossroads in the layout,'' said Ananth G.

Sandeep A, a resident, opined that the authorities should and must take measures to prevent the commercialisation of the area. The chaotic parking of vehicles is causing a lot of problems for the residents on the service road. They said that they find it difficult either to reach home or to take out vehicles from their homes. "The service road has become a destination for parking of all types of vehicles round the clock.

Cab, truck, and auto-rickshaw drivers are creating yellow spots by attending nature's call on the service road,'' said Sanjay Vaidhya, a resident. The service road has become a destination for parking of all types of vehicles round the clock. Cab, truck, and auto-rickshaw drivers are creating yellow spots by attending nature's call on the service road

-Sanjay Vaidhya, resident

He said the dumping of debris continues on the service road throughout the year. "The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) authorities made arrangements to clear debris but irresponsible people dump debris as soon as the BBMP contractor removes them,'' he said, adding that the residents want to complain to higher authorities on this issue.the unfortunate road accident is a result of the commercialisation of residential areas, Satish Rao, a social activist, said the vehicle in question belongs to a commercial establishment owner in this area.

Who will take action to remove the vehicles parked on both sides of the service road, causing inconvenience to the hapless residents--the traffic police or BBMP authorities?