BENGALURU: With Basavaraj Bommai becoming the chief minister, residents of Taralabalu Road and adjacent areas of RT Nagar are facing commuting trouble. Reason: Police close the road every time the CM leaves or returns to his house on the thoroughfare.
Taralabalu Road links Ballari Road with RT Nagar, JC Nagar, Jayamahal Extension and Shivajinagar. While the CM's convoy itself comprises of at least 15 vehicles, the road is shut five minutes before the convoy moves and is opened to traffic minutes after it passes by to ensure safe distance between public vehicles and the CM's. Cops say they have not entirely closed Taralabalu Road for the public but blocking it for a few minutes is unavoidable. "We are letting locals and emergency vehicles ply on the stretch. We are diverting vehicles like goods trucks and other private vehicles using Taralabalu Road as a short cut to continue their journey. They can head to Mehkri Circle, take left and continue till TV Tower junction and again turn left to join the areas around Taralabalu Road," said a senior officer.
Asked how they will manage the traffic clog that reaches the entrance of Taralabalu Road on Ballari Road during peak hours, another officer said: "We will form a small lane towards Taralabalu Road and ensure it doesn't get jammed."
Cops are also not allowing parking of vehicles on Taralabalu Road and nearby areas. The stretch is monitored by Hoysala and traffic police. Residents say they are parking vehicles close to their gates, indicating they belong to them.
With Bommai as home minister, they already faced 'momentary blocks' whenever his convoy would pass Taralabalu Road. Arthi KV, a resident of RT Nagar, said, "After the new CM took charge, the road gets blocked during his movement. I used to commute to my office which is in south Bengaluru. It could have been an issue for me, but as of now I am working from home so there is no disturbance as such."
