Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Dec 19: Road widening and concreting work are going on in full swing at the Hampankatta circle, located at the heart of the city. The concerned are making efforts to complete the work fast. But the pertinent question that remains to be answered is whether the vehicles have to take a detour as before, to negotiate this circle like they have been doing, even after road development works.

Till a few years ago, Hampankatta junction’s signal used to be the biggest signal in the city where a huge rush was witnessed. Later, the system was changed because of vehicular congestion and the signal system was given a go by. The vehicles were made to take a detour before reaching their destinations.

Traffic at Hampankatta with Smart City works in progress (file photo)

Vehicles needing to go towards Falnir now have to move till the Canara Bank (erstwhile Syndicate Bank) before turning to the right and return to where the circle was and then take a left turn. For entering K S Rao Road from Hampankatta, one has to move to the Clock Tower, take a right turn and return on the road till Hampankatta. This consumes a lot of time. With the concrete works the road is getting further widened. Many feel that it is better to remove the barricades which are blocking straight movement of vehicles, and install signals as before. This system will also help the ambulances to move faster and the vehicular density observed at light house hill and clock tower might come down.

With the installation of the signal, like other junctions, the police department can enforce a free left rule here. As of now, as road work is conducted, signal lights are installed. The police say that the work here might be completed in a month, and a decision about the type and relevance of the signal will be decided based on the traffic situation then.

MLA Vedavyas Kamath said that a decision on handling traffic at Hampankatta circle will be taken after holding discussions with the police department. M A Nataraj, assistant police commissioner (traffic), said that like other circles, here also free left facility will be extended and a decision about the installation of full signal will be taken. He however expects some problems with vehicles taking a turn to enter K S Rao Road.