Sir,

Mysuru is a growing city and not a day passes without traffic accidents being reported. Many go unreported. There are also many hit-and-run cases.

Accidents occur due to poor traffic management, improperly synchronised traffic signals, lack of proper traffic signage, violation of traffic rules, inadequate parking spaces and poorly enforced parking regulations, unchecked reckless driving and several other factors. There are many potential hazardous/accident-prone spots in the city.

One simple example of a potentially hazardous/accident spot is the short stretch of road from RTO Circle to Hemmige Junction, passing in front of the Lakshmipuram Police Station, for the following reasons:

1. There is no proper control of traffic at the RTO Circle, especially during peak hours. If and when traffic signals are installed, rotary should become redundant. There is no point in having both, as it will be confusing.

2. Vehicles involved in traffic violations or accidents are dumped in front of the Lakshmipuram Police Station on the left side of the stretch from RTO Circle to Hemmige Junction, causing loss of visibility for vehicles coming from the road right opposite the Police Station and turning onto JLB Road.

3. There are damaged manholes and potholes in this short stretch. Anything could happen.

4. The traffic signals at Hemmige Junction are very confusing. Pedestrian crossings are marked inappropriately and there is no signage indicating that there is no free left turn where pedestrian crossings are provided. Two-wheelers encroach upon the available footpath and jump signals. In fact, there is no seamless footpath for pedestrians along this stretch.

5. At Hemmige Junction, there is a right fork leading to New Kantharaj Urs Road and Ballal Circle (now Ashoka Circle). Vehicles use this fork to jump signals. Allowing a free right weave when signals are installed creates a conflict point. There is no signage to indicate that turning into the right fork from JLB Road is not allowed. Even city buses use this right fork recklessly to jump the signal, thereby preventing vehicles coming from (Ballal) Ashoka Circle from using this fork to join JLB Road.

6. A traffic and transportation planner should be consulted before installing traffic signals, signage, etc., to avoid the creation of potential accident spots.

7. There are many traffic violations right in front of the Lakshmipuram Police Station itself, such as helmetless riding and more than two pillion riders on two-wheelers, often with children, which go unchecked.

8. The stretch from RTO Circle to Ashoka Circle also faces congestion problems. A feasibility study to declare the stretch from RTO Circle to Hemmige Junction as one-way and the stretch from Ashoka Circle to RTO Circle as one-way could be examined, coupled with proper parking regulations and enforcement. This could help reduce congestion.

Further, it would be advisable to study the overall impact on traffic circulation starting from Railway Station Circle to the Law Courts Complex, covering JLB Road, RTO Circle and the connected intervening intersections, to plan a congestion-free and safe flow of traffic.

If this is the scenario for a small stretch, what could be the situation when extrapolated to the entire city? What would be the status a few years later — say, five or six years hence — when the population and number of vehicles would have increased manifold?

An extensive, intensive, inclusive & comprehensive Traffic and Transportation Master Plan, clearly defining policy and enforcement, is the need of the hour to plan city’s present and future traffic circulation, parking needs, identification of future metro routes, etc., and to ensure that Mysuru does not descend into chaos the Bengaluru way.

– K.N. Murthy, Mysuru, 29.12.2025

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