The Hindu
- Its construction work began on Saturday
- The move is aimed at easing the traffic movement
- It was suggested by the traffic police, says official
Mangalore, Mar 24: The stretch between Father Muller Hospital and Valencia Circle will have a median.
The corporation authorities began the work on the median on Saturday.
Lancy Pinto, an auto rickshaw driver at the spot, said that vehicles that came to and went from the hospital joined the main road in front of the hospital.
The median might help in easing the movement of traffic there as it would restrict drivers from overtaking.
Vendors
Some fruit vendors have occupied a portion of the main road and footpath in front of the hospital. As a result, city bus drivers cannot stop buses on the roadside. “The corporation officials evicted them once recently. But they have come back. If they are rehabilitated, the movement of traffic will be even smoother, Mr. Pinto said.
P. Santhosh, another autorickshaw driver, said that a median should be constructed on the road between Kankanady Circle and the hospital as well.
Accidents
“Many vehicle users coming from Valencia Circle take a right turn before the circle to go to Pumpwell Cricle. This will give scope for accidents. The proposed median will make them proceed to Kankanady Circle and take another route to reach Pumpwell Circle,” he said.
Hindrance
At present, the city buses stop near Valencia Park. The drivers should be told to stop the buses beyond the circle. Otherwise, the median will hinder the movement of other vehicles owing to lack of space.
K. Naveenchandra, chairman, standing committee for town planning and improvement in the corporation, visited the spot on Saturday.
Suggestion
He said that he was told by the officials in the engineering section that the police had suggested a median on the stretch.
However, there was no written communication to this effect from the police.
Demand
Officials told him that there were demands from the people to construct the median to control traffic.
When contacted, G.V. Subrahmanyam, Circle Inspector of Police, traffic section, said it was a welcome move.
“We have requested for medians at Balmatta, Hampankatta and Karnad Sadashiv Rao Road in view of heavy traffic there,” he said.