Bengaluru Police Unveils Bold Right-Side Driving Plan to Tackle Traffic Gridlock
In a groundbreaking move to address Bengaluru's persistent traffic woes, police authorities are planning to shift from conventional left-side driving to American-style right-side driving on specific roads near heavily congested junctions. This innovative strategy targets notorious bottlenecks like Goraguntepalya on the Bengaluru-Tumakuru road, where vehicles may soon travel on the right side to enhance flow and reduce delays, particularly during peak hours.
Expert Insights from Traffic Chief MA Saleem
Director-General and Inspector-General of Police MA Saleem, renowned for his traffic management expertise, explained the rationale behind this plan during an interaction at the Press Club. "The goal is to ensure vehicles exiting the city move more swiftly than those entering, creating emptier roads inside, especially at central business district junctions. This allows incoming traffic from various directions to enter at a steady, uninterrupted pace," Saleem stated.
He highlighted that the police will soon implement this system between key areas including the CMT junction (past Jalahalli Circle), Outer Ring Road, and Mysuru Road (Nayandahalli junction). "Vehicles entering from Tumakuru can utilize right-side driving on lanes with minimal disturbance. Previously, they faced frequent stops at junctions, but this new approach aims to eliminate those interruptions," Saleem told TOI.
Proven Success and Future Applications
When questioned about the feasibility of such a shift, Saleem pointed to the existing success near Garuda Mall, where right-side driving has been operational for four to five years. "It's already in practice opposite Garuda Mall and has proven very effective," he affirmed. This system covers a 400-meter stretch between Mayohall, Garuda Mall, and Dsouza Circle, enabling vehicles to make a free right turn from Mayohall to Dsouza Circle without stopping at the Garuda Mall traffic signal, thereby smoothing movement.
Saleem emphasized ongoing collaboration with agencies like the GBA and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to alleviate congestion on national highways linking the city. He also addressed broader traffic solutions, noting, "City road capacity is insufficient for current vehicle density. Increasing public transport usage is crucial; while Mumbai sees 82% of its population using public transport, Bengaluru is at only 47%. The government is actively working to expand public transport options."
How the Right-Side Driving System Functions
The implemented system near Garuda Mall serves as a model for the proposed expansions:
- Vehicles use the right-side lane for approximately 400 meters between Mayohall, Garuda Mall, and Dsouza Circle.
- This allows for a free right turn from Mayohall to Dsouza Circle, bypassing the need to stop at the Garuda Mall traffic signal.
- By reducing one stop, vehicle movement becomes more fluid and efficient, as explained by police officials.
This initiative represents a significant step in Bengaluru's ongoing efforts to modernize traffic management and combat the city's enduring congestion challenges, with police leveraging data-driven approaches and successful precedents to guide future implementations.
