Bengaluru, February 4: In a major step toward improving urban infrastructure and easing traffic congestion, Bengaluru South City Corporation Commissioner K.N. Ramesh has called for stronger coordination among multiple civic and utility departments to ensure seamless execution of development projects.
A high-level joint coordination meeting was convened involving senior officials from the City Corporation, GAIL, Traffic Police, BESCOM, KPTCL, and BWSSB, focusing on road infrastructure, traffic management, public safety, and utility works across South Bengaluru.
Road Cutting Policy and Technology Integration
The Commissioner announced that all future road-cutting permissions and service-related applications must be routed exclusively through the newly developed MARCS portal. Even applications previously submitted through older systems will need to be resubmitted via MARCS. Any technical issues in the portal will be addressed on priority.
To enhance transparency and planning, the Road Information Management System (RIMS) software will soon be introduced to provide comprehensive, real-time data on city roads.
Iblur Junction Development Plan
Following directions from the Greater Bengaluru Authority Chief Commissioner, two proposals — an underpass and a flyover — are under consideration for Iblur Junction. Departments executing projects in the area have been asked to share details immediately.
Also Read: New Flyover Planned at Iblur Junction to Ease ORR Traffic; Maheshwar Rao Orders Blueprint
Given that GAIL has already laid an 8-inch medium-pressure gas pipeline at the site, the Commissioner directed officials to conduct a joint survey and submit a feasibility report before finalising infrastructure plans.
Traffic Bottleneck Solutions
At Wipro Junction on Sarjapur Road, officials were instructed to coordinate with the East Zone Corporation to develop U-turn facilities and relocate bus stops to ease chronic traffic congestion.
For Kaikondrahalli Junction, proposals include removal of a compound wall near Elements Apartment to allow smoother movement of light vehicles, and construction of a bus bay on available vacant land.
BWSSB Pipeline Works and Road Restoration
BWSSB was directed to expedite pipeline work near Fortis Hospital on Bannerghatta Road. The Commissioner issued strict instructions for immediate and proper road restoration, noting that incomplete resurfacing has caused significant inconvenience to commuters.
Traffic Police Recommendations
Traffic Police officials highlighted key issues requiring urgent attention:
- Waterlogging: Construction of drains near Manipal County, Iblur, and resolving water flow issues between service roads and main roads near Agara Lake.
- Road Safety: Increasing median height in accident-prone zones between Agara and Anepalya, installing medians on Kasavanahalli Road, and adding zebra crossings, stop lines, and traffic signage.
- Desilting: Immediate desilting of stormwater drains at Silk Board Junction, Iblur Manipal Hospital Junction, and along Bannerghatta Road.
Commissioner’s Strict Directives
Commissioner K.N. Ramesh instructed the engineering wing to prioritise Traffic Police recommendations and ensure swift implementation.
He emphasised the formation of sub-division-level inter-departmental task forces, stating that coordination at the grassroots level would significantly improve problem-solving efficiency. To ensure real-time communication, officials were also directed to create dedicated WhatsApp groups for inter-departmental coordination.
The meeting was attended by Additional Development Commissioner Naveen Kumar Raju, DCP (South Traffic) Gopal, Chief Engineers Basavaraj Kabade and K.V. Ravi, along with senior officials from multiple departments.
