Sir,

Another grand Dasara celebration concluded on Oct. 12 in Mysuru, but the event also witnessed widespread traffic rule violations on city roads.

Despite numerous efforts in traffic management, many motorists disregarded road safety by blatantly ignoring traffic rules. Surprisingly, a significant number of these offenders were local residents, as evidenced by their vehicle registration numbers. Impatience ruled the roads, with drivers unwilling to wait for their turn.

Vehicles violating red signals included two-wheelers, autos and cars driven by people from all walks of life. They showed little regard for signals or CCTV cameras monitoring them.

Bus drivers were no exception. Many brazenly ignored Traffic Police instructions, making illegal U-turns at Dasappa Circle and stopping buses dangerously close to the Circle. This not only disrupted flow of traffic but also hampered vehicles coming from Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Circle (Metropole Circle) and heading towards the City Railway Station. These buses should have taken U-turns at Railway Station Circle instead.

Triple riding on bikes was a common sight, with some parents even allowing children to stand while riding, a clear violation of road safety norms.

Pedestrians added to the chaos, crossing roads haphazardly at various Circles, with the situation worsening at Dasappa Circle. Using zebra crossings seemed to be completely ignored, especially on the final evening of Dasara. To make matters worse, traffic signals for pedestrian crossings were non-functional at this Circle, forcing people to obstruct the smooth flow of vehicles.

Adding to the disorder, attendees of the Jumboo Savari littered the streets with plastic water bottles and used paper plates, turning streets into eyesores. The absence of adequate dustbins might have contributed to the mess, leaving the MCC Pourakarmika team with the herculean task of cleaning up.

– Dr. S. V. N. Vijayendra, Ex-Traffic Warden,  Mysuru,  13.10.2024

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