Pedestrian woes on Bengaluru's Hosur Road - Safe crossing below electronics city flyover

The nine-km elevated expressway over Hosur Road, connecting the Silk Board Junction with Electronics City is a boon for motorists heading to the software hub. The four-lane road below the expressway sees heavy traffic from Kerala and Tamil Nadu into Karnataka. The double-deck road seems to have been built keeping only vehicle-users in mind, whereas pedestrians struggle to get across it.

'Create awareness on need for underpasses'

Solutions

Out of the eight existing underpasses, only the one at Hebbagodi has takers.

We need a survey to learn why they are not used by many crucial spots where pedestrian traffic is heavy and accident spots need to be identified. At these locations, we must increase the height of the barricade and place traffic wardens to prevent unsafe crossing.

The underpasses need to be made more user-friendly. Better lighting, maintenance and presence of security personnel or shops will make it safer. Create awareness about the need to use underpasses. Posters and directions leading to the underpass can be a beginning The upcoming metro line's accompany ing underpasses can be strategically located near the safe crossing points

'Shops in underpasses will ensure safety'

Solutions

Selected commercial establishments can be set up inside the underpasses. Not too many, so that there is still ample space left for people These establishments will naturally ensure safety and maintenance of the underpasses. Ideally, there should be a ground-level pedestrian-only crossing for every one kilometre.

At these points, refuge islands need to be set up near the median for people to wait. Narrow barricades can prevent vehicles from entering To prevent speeding near these crossings, there should be gradual speed control mechanisms, like tabletops and rumble strips automatic red lights once every few minutes or occasional pedestrian-operated red lights can check automobiles.

Official line

NHAI norms require one junction for every two kilometres. "There are five junctions," says Srinivasulu Raju, Director, NHAI, Karnataka, adding, "Increasing the number of crossings will slow down traffic movement."

There are plans to increase the median railings to six feet to curb improper crossings. Education about underpasses and enforcement is important, he said.