Hubli-Dharwad on road to better traffic management

hubli: it's a big jungle in here as far as traffic system is concerned. and it won't be an exaggeration. rather a truism to state that the existing system is a "bundle of confusion" with no proper traffic regulation, unscientific planning and crippled traffic policing without adequate staff strength. but infusing sense in the traffic system was not at all the priority of the hubli-dharwad police.when the other major cities of karnataka were incorporating some modern methods to regulate traffic, hubli-dharwad was inaugurating its first traffic signal lights. this was two years ago. the district in-charge minister, a.m. hindasgeri, while inaugurating the "crime prevention month" recently, underlined the need for the police to think on improving the traffic system by referring to some of the badly managed traffic junctions in hubli. the minister's concern summed up the prevailing condition. now it seems that the hubli-dharwad police commissionerate wants to make a departure. dcp (crime and traffic) shivaprasad who took charge recently is focusing on this big task. an `integrated traffic management plan' is being prepared by the dcp in consultation with other agencies and experts. "the plan will be implemented by the end of this month." shivaprasad says, "the situation is so pathetic it needs a total revamp from the basics. the police alone cannot attend this and it requires coordination from other agencies." he said areas are being segmented which will dealt with separately. how to begin? firstly, the two bodies -- bsnl and hdmc -- are to be involved. unlike in other cities, before digging up the road for laying cable and pipeline, the traffic police are not consulted. "this has to be set right immediately," shivaprasad says. then the immediate task will be to create a system for the smooth flow of traffic before taking up traffic projects. according to the dcp, "pedestrian" is a big problem as there is no proper "footpath culture in the twin cities". "most of the pavements are encroached and we cannot blame pedestrians," he says referring to the footpaths between k.c. circle and basava vana in hubli. what is most important is relocating the existing bus stops. a majority of bus stops have been created right at the traffic junctions. "we will be soon shifting these bus stops into a central point from one junction to the other." enforcement already began at the petrol bunk near the k.c. circle towards karwar road. the pick-up point for the buses on the area should be at the old bus stand and not the petrol bunk junction. the integrated traffic plan being evolved will have these salient features. proposal to convert the national highway between hubli and dharwad into a double road. the police want to sell this concept by inviting private participating. this road is prone to accidents and identifying the accident spots to regulate the traffic has begun. also, creating road median would start soon. autorickshaw segments will be focused upon. will not be allowed stopping at random. starting junctions will be created. schoolchildren bundled into a single vehicle will be a thing of the past. rto and police would jointly enforce meter system. heavy vehicles such as trucks which come into twin cities will not be allowed to park or move on some of the important road as this is one of the main reasons for traffic congestion. only those who have to disembark passengers or unload goods will allowed in and the rest will have to bypass. the proposal for constructing flyover at some important and most congested traffic junctions will be persuaded with by the police department. scientifically planned parking space for both two-wheelers and four-wheelers and implementing one-way traffic system in some of the roads. for this, the kittur chennamma circle will be the base. shivaprasad says the survey is being made from k.c. circle. "this circle will be taken as a lead." the enforcement of the new traffic system will be beginning at k.c. circle and end at k.c. circle, he added. all these may sound promising but there is a "catch". do the hubli-dharwad police have the necessary infrastructure to enforce it? shivaprasad says: "there is a need to increase staff strength three times." police commissioner kuchanna srinivas will take up the issue with higher authorities in bangalore.