Short Term Relief from the Traffic Snarl
Traffic is a nightmare in Whitefield. Duh, you knew that already! Relief from this is no easy task. But given that 36,000 crores in revenue is said to come from this area, the road and related support infrastructure is pretty dismal. A multi pronged approach is being taken to chip away at it.
What WR has done is to bring attention to the problem of traffic in Whitefield and put it on the Government radar – starting from getting more police force – both law and order and traffic, focusing attention on road condition, pot holes, digging etc.,BMTC buses, helping them with more volunteers, assisting coordination between various agencies (BBMP/BWSSB/BESCOM/BTP etc.). Its a long list.
As part of this all Whitefielders agreed that the worst spots were Kundanahalli, Hoodi, Big Bazar and Graphite. We were fortunate that MN Reddi, CoP sat up and paid attention to all oour collective clamouring. BTP hired Professional Traffic consultants who did a month long study of the traffic, flows and possible solutions for these areas before coming up with this plan. We do not have access to their calculations but can certainly ask for them.
We were asked to disseminate this information since a large part of Whitefield is part of this movement called WFR – This route variation is being tried and we need a lot of data points.
It is unknown how or whether this will help or resolve our traffic issues – several long term plans are on the anvil – metro, signal free corridor, underpasses etc. But that does not help the short term situation or pain that we all go through on a daily basis. All everyone is looking for in the end is a cut in overall commute times.
Are there any changes at Kundalahalli signal?
I had given two suggestions almost 9 months ago which was acknowledged by BTRAC and they had committed to implementing the recommendations. Issue addressed was the traffic issues for commuters coming from BEML layout to Kundalahalli gate signal.
1) During peak hours, close the U turn in front of Hypercity
2) Ensure the green light stays on for at least 90 seconds (For traffic coming from Marathalli and Varthur to Kundalahalli Gate, green light stays on for more than 180 seconds)
Please see if anything can be done at the Kundalahalli signal
Regards
Ravi
On the Whitefield main road, Mayura bakery junction, its haywire everyday. Its time to restrict a way to control traffic.. often a big jam in evenings.. solution: block right turns from Immadahalli main road.. Implement a traffic signal..
This traffic regulation has created a chaos already on the 1st working day of the week.
None of the commuters care for the children who are made to cross the road near hoodi junction to board the school buses due to this one way traffic. The vehicles are speeding up like crazy.
My 5 yr old son was about to be hit by an SUV while he was crossing the road along with my wife to board the school bus.
There was enough chaos near the Standard Chartered ATM junction when the 6 lane traffic is merging into 2 lanes to go towards graphite india.
Good work. Will provide feedback after experience. Meanwhile, another nightmare junction is the Hope Farm Circle. That could be the next action
The new traffic movement has completely ignored the commute needs of residents living near Hoodi Circle. Although a right turn is allowed at Hoodi Jn. while coming from KR Puram, people in living in left side apartments like Gopalan Grandeur, Golden Star cannot get inside the buildings since all medians are closed. So one cannot get to left side of new one way road.
The biggest issue due closed medians is that most of school buses are now forced pick and drop school going kids to the other side of the road and need to cross the pick traffic.
It would best if barricades preventing right turn is removed so that we can go to left side of one way at the start of road from Hoodi towards Graphite.
I drive from Garudacharpalya to Sarjapur and back in the evening to pick our som from school. Earlier it used to take 2.5 hours for the entire trip, however it took us nearly 4.5 hours yesterday after the changes. The main issue was at the Hope Farm Junction where the wait time is extremely long. While going from ITPL to whitefield the wait time at Hope Farm junction (at 4:30 pm) was 20 mins, while returning (at 5:45 pm) it took us over 50 mins to cross that Junction. On the return trip the time spent at the Big Bazaar signal was 25 mins. Additionally the time spent crossing Varthur Village was 45 mins (it should not take more than 15 mins). After the changes in the road network, our son’s school sent a message saying that the school bus won’t be coming into our complex as the road changes have added almost 1 hour to the trip.
If the ITPL road from KR Puram to Hope farm junction is not sorted out, then this entire exercise will be a failure. These changes seem to have been implemented to sort out the problems for the people driving into and out of Whitefield Area, while the people living in Whitefield have not been taken into consideration at all. Our son used to spend 3.5 hours daily in the school bus. Now he will spend atleast 5 hours daily in the school bus, with the bulk of it on the ITPL road with all the noise and pollution. No wonder he comes home totally exhausted and drained everyday.
There is a confusion:
People coming from Hoodi and need to go towards Kundanhalli.
As per above maps, its allowed to go straight at Graphite junction (Left turn is blocked.)
But, on road, no way straight. Need to take left at Graphite jn, go towards Videhi and take U turn somewhere to join the road leading to Graphite jn which is already crowded.
Can someone clarify on this.
Your suggestion has only increased hassles for regular commuters like me. I normally take 15-20 minutes to reach my office in ITPL, it has taken more than an hour whole of last week, thanks to your intervention.
While I appreciate your concern for citizens, please limit it to cleaning black-spots and cycle rallies. Government knows its job best, and apparently it is more efficient on its own.
Cristina. Your comment is valued. However, some clarifications. 1) this is a BTP plan and not WR Plan. BTP – Bangalore Traffic Police. Please direct your ire there. 2)The plan started this week and not last week. So hopefully this week will be better for you. 3)Thanks for coming to the black spots and cycle rallies!
As honorable as your intentions may have been, the new changes around hoodi circle have only worsened matters, especially for people staying in and around the area. We took housing here mostly because its close to our offices and now you’ve turned even that short commute into a nightmare. The traffic queue from the Graphite Junction signal which used to extend mostly upto the IFB offices now stretch beyond that and have reached the V near the Printo store. Build a flyover, get the bus stops moved a few yards further from the signals or even better,spend some cash and get a house near your offices(Oh Wait! you’ve made that point moot now!). But the currently adopted measures are nothing but a major hassle and has to be abolished as soon as possible.
I like the changes. I travel from forum value mall to Mahadevapura. The only blocker is bigbazzar signal, other than that, it is a breeze. (almost). Even in big bazzar, the singal time i guess is increased, that if you are stuck, you can give urself 15 mins by switching off the car/bike and relax:-).. Its not first gear inch by inch drive. Once you are cleared, it is almost one pass through. From hoodi left, to taking right after kamath to join graphite road is pretty good. Once joining the whitefield road at ABB signal, it is again a breeze from metropolis. This stretch used to be horrible before. Overall, this changes have eased up the pain(for me at least).
What i am avoiding now is, Borewell road, as there is no right to join graphite india road crossing SAP labs. You need to take a left and get clogged at U-turn. Not sure how this can be solved. But Closing many intersections really helps.
Anyhow, thanks for all your efforts. we need to give it time to see how this shape up.
This solution has created a problem for the hoodi residents. And we have to solution as well can we look at implementing this
Problem: Almost 1000 families impacted due to one way from Hoodi to Graphite. As they are not able to get on the left side of the divider as medians are closed to avoid U turn and ensure smooth flow of traffic from ITPL
Where: Median @ Hoodi Circle opposite Gopalan Grandeur
Solution: Partial opening and extended Barricades for controlled one way movement from right side of the divider to left side. This would help vehicle to cross to the other side of the divider without distrupting traffic movement and also avoid U Turns
Agree. And discussed with Prashanth KS and also specially pushed with CoP. fingers crossed that the new plan helps you when it comes out. BTP!
Nitya , It is a great effort to bring in this new plan. The team needs appreciation to convince the authorities. However to bring down the carbon foot print and the chaos down, we should also try more innovative methods. Should all of you agree, we should also try out on alternate days switch between odd numbered and even numbered vehicle plated (two wheeler only) that may be allowed to enter certain roads within White field IT companies. This will natural reduce the vehicles on the roads that office goers use. This is a similar analogy as practiced for vehicles being parked on either side of the roads.
So much to do. How, when where? Problem for now in whitefield is that there are very very few enforcers ie traffic police. There isnt even a tow truck to tow away a wrongly parked vehicle. No mechanized cleaner. And roads full of potholes. There is a lot that can be done. But there must be a genuine “WILL” to do it from the govt side. We are hoping to slowly see a shift..
There is a news floating around that says graphite india-hoodi-big bazaar-vydehi junction-graphite india junction will be made a cicruclar corridor from 21-Dec. Is this a rumor or true – Have you any idea?
I live in Green Domain Layout ( second left street, after RMZ Centennial, from the Graphite India signal going to Kundalahalli). I like the fact that traffic movement around GI signal has improved considerably.
I work in Mahadevapura and coming back home is a bit of hassle going to Ginger and turning around. A bit of a hassle but am okay with that.
First suggestion : There should be a proper roundabout with lanes so merging into oncoming traffic is easier. Or close off the turn near Ginger and drive further down to Ion Idea and turn after that.
Coming to the rumor that the GI Signal turning towards SAP is going to be closed, this would be a disaster for everyone in my layout (about 3-400 people) and folks working near Telerad RxDx and RMZ Centennial.
We need to open up a u-turn in front of Telerad RxDx (this is the better alternative) or in front of RMZ Centennial (leading into the road that leads into Green Domain Layout). Have a 3 way signal.
a. traffic from Kundalahalli towards GI Signal or from GI signal to Kundalahalli flows on the left lanes.
b. U-Turn is signal controlled in both directions. Widening the road divider/turn would enable both sides of the traffic to turn (coming from GI Signal or going towards GI Signal).
One way of managing this signal better would be enforcing lanes. Right only lanes as we get closer to the signal (say from the temple to the U-Turn and GI Signal to the U-Turn). Anyone going straight sticks to the left lanes.
I realize that lane discipline plays into my solution to a large extent and enforcement effort is required on this but can be done. A month or two of consistent monitoring/penalties etc might hasten this adoption.
1) During peak hours, close the U turn in front of RxDx Hospital, Open the road divider before that which lead the way to GDL, all RxDx hospital vehicles must be routed through that. After 9:30PM open it completely
2) Ensure the green light stays less, maximum 60 sec (For traffic coming from Kundalahalli Gate & Hoodie) at Graphite Signal
Hi,
The residents of Green Domain layout, approximately 2000 citizens are almost trapped now. In case we have to go to save someone’s life by taking them to RXDX, our nearest hospital, instead of a 200 meters drive which used to take 5 mins, we have to be in traffic for 30-45 mins, thanks to all the U-turns closed in front of our entrance. It will be better if we solve this issue before we have any casualty.
School buses have already informed parents that they will leave the kids in main-road only, as it is 2 kms and 45 mins more for them because of the closed U-turns. Which means each parent/ grandparent has to go till the main road dragging the younger siblings of these school kids (if applicable) twice a day. If not, safety of the kids are at risk. If both parents are working, not sure how this issue will be solved . Cant blame the schools, as just to drop one or two children, now the other 25- 30 children in the bus will be reaching home 30 – 45 mins late.
Many more issues. Please understand the plight of we mothers with small children. Those moms who work in offices outside Green Domain are again delayed to reach no where else, but their own homes just because some 4 possible U turns to their homes are closed.
New traffic changes don’t seem to be working at all for the residents of Green Domain Layout and for the people working in RMZ Centennial.
Commute time has drastically increased for every body from young to the old. This is badly affecting everybody’s daily routine.
We must look for some other alternatives. One of the options could be to create one way by developing some alternate routes to enter and exit ITPL road.
My request to BTP is to keep in mind the huge population residing on both sides of the ITPL road before implementing any traffic changes.
We are staying in Green Domain Layout which is just adjacent road of RMZ Centennial office, from the Graphite India signal going to Kundalahalli). This decision to close U Turn at RxDx Hospital and Graphite India Square Route diversion is definately is giving trouble to all residents of Green domain Layout and all EPIP Zone Corporate offices. Just to facilates Graphite India Square to be Signal Free, this should not create many other problems to city Commuters.
There are many school buses to come to our Green Domain Layout and due to this both morning and evening, bus need to go to Ginger Hotel U Turn to enter in Green Domain Layout which is already increased (approx 2-3 km) the travel times for small kids and they are suffering a lot. Due to this U turn Closed and Graphite india route diversion, daily Kids are reaching late in school and school are already raised concern on this.
It would be better to atleast U Turn at RxDx Hospital to be allow only traffic coming from Kundalahali towards graphite India Square and not allow who are coming from Graphite India Square towards Kundalahalli.
Am requesting Traffic Police Department to first atleast take the survey to see overall impact for this type of decision. Just 1 square to signal free should not impact many other issues to City Commuters. This road is not just used by office commuters but Residence and school transport also using and this impact a little kids school routine and finally disturbing impact everyone.
I too stay in Green Domain Layout (GDL). As pointed by fellow residents of GDL, my travel time has actually increased after the closure of U-turns across the ITPL stretch. I have been made to wait endlessly near the Hanuman temple and then I need to go towards Ginger to take a U-turn. Even after this, the traffic is moving at a snails pace and don’t understand what significant improvement the new proposals had made.
There are 400+ flats and approximately 2000 people in the GDL. Even stepping out for emergency has become a nightmare. I had to take my 9-month kid to RxDx for an emergency and had to spend 20 minutes to reach because of slow moving traffic. Whereas, a U-turn which existed in front of GDL and RxDx would have taken 2 minutes for me. The same is the case for anyone living in Brookfield or other nearby areas who want to visit RxDx. Even school kids are having problem now with their bus refusing to enter the layout. Imagine a rainy day or a sick kid walking to the main road which is approximately 900 meters from the layout. Sooner, the school buses will drop the kids on the main road and who will be held responsible if some untoward incident happens?
I understand the plight of traffic cops. I spoke to few of them yesterday – they don’t have manpower, people coming from ITPL take wrong U-turn in front of RxDx, and difficult for them to manage. But why should the lives of 2000 people affected because of traffic offenders?
Request to open the U-turn in front of GDL or RxDx and provide relief for us.
As a resident of Green Domain Layout, traveling from Marathalli to Green Domain Layout during peak hours is a nightmare.
1.) In my personal opinion & experience though Graphite India Junction is made as signal free, yet the overall commute time end to end would be the same or worse due to the piling of traffic before and after the signal in either directions (which would not have been the case earlier since Graphite India signal would have stopped the flow).
2.) Closing the U-Turn near RxDx and asking the Green Domain Layout Residents & employes of people working near that area to go another 2-3 kms would have been acceptable if the next 2-3 kms was traffic free. But instead they not only have to go through traffic but also create congestion for others which could have been easily avoided.
I understand it is easier to complain that to propose a solution acceptable to all. But wanted to voice my feedback.
We are staying in Green Domain Layout which is just adjacent road of RMZ Centennial office, from the Graphite India signal going to
Kundalahalli). This decision to close U Turn at RxDx Hospital and Graphite India Square Route diversion is definately is giving trouble to all
residents of Green domain Layout and all EPIP Zone Corporate offices. Just to facilates Graphite India Square to be Signal Free, this should not
create many other problems to city Commuters.
There are many school buses to come to our Green Domain Layout and due to this both morning and evening, bus need to go to Ginger Hotel U Turn
to enter in Green Domain Layout which is already increased (approx 2-3 km) the travel times for small kids and they are suffering a lot. Due to
this U turn Closed and Graphite india route diversion, daily Kids are reaching late in school and school are already raised concern on this.
It would be better to atleast U Turn at RxDx Hospital to be allow only traffic coming from Kundalahali towards graphite India Square and not
allow who are coming from Graphite India Square towards Kundalahalli.
Am requesting Traffic Police Department to first atleast take the survey to see overall impact for this type of decision. Just 1 square to
signal free should not impact many other issues to City Commuters. This road is not just used by office commuters but Residence and school
transport also using and this impact a little kids school routine and finally disturbing impact everyone.
Its really horrible for Green domain layout residents (2000+) and RxDx and whoever working in RMZ. Closing all right turns from Kundanahalli colony to Graphite signal is not worth idea. This is especially too difficult for not only working men/women, its big concerns for school going children.
Anyone right turn either at RxDx or at RMZ. Please realize the probem what we face and put a plan which is neutral to all.
Believe it or not 250 families (approx. 2000 people) of small Green Domain Layout has been affected by recent changes at graphite India signal. There is no U-turn to get into our layout and it has not only affected individuals who spend hours in traffic and finally reaching near to their homes with further addition of 45 min to their journey as they need to go all the way till Ginger for U-turn to come to our layout. School buses are refusing to come inside and have threatened to drop the kids at main road and asked us to pick up. Most of the grandparents can not go till main road to pick up the kids. So schools might increase the price for going through the hassles. Kids get tired by the time they come back home as it is 30-45 more of travel time for them. Taxi drivers ask us to main road to take the cab. We loose 45 min more to our usual daily travel time which we can spend with family. I purchased the flat in layout however I am getting compelled to move out because of this decision. I know we are small layout however entire layout has been affected.
We both are working couple and after going through our daily routine it is difficult for us to fight alone for this change. I hope the voice will be heard as there are many more couples like me who are facing the same challenge.
Another nightmare junction is the Hope Farm Circle. Any action to relief from the Traffic Snarl at this junction???
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Its good move for ITPL & Whitefield people but worst solution for people living in hoodi circle area…this is not proper solution to avoid traffic hassle…that one way to hoodi circle making more confusion than earlier traffic..either change thsi plan or construct new overbridge at Hoodi circle..making one way is not proper planning…