Commuters wait for several signal cycles at junctions along Old Madras Road

A traffic jam on Suranjan Das Road in Bengaluru forces commuters to drive on the wrong side of the road and skip traffic signals. | Photo credit: ALLEN EGENUSE J.

Amid delays in junction improvement works at NGEF Signal and failure of signal synchronization, three key roads – Suranjandas Road, 80 Feet Road and 100 Feet Road – that feed traffic to Old Madras Road in East Bengaluru have emerged as major bottlenecks, especially at their junctions.

The increased traffic on these stretches puts a strain on Old Madras Road, the city’s main thoroughfare. The length of traffic queues forces commuters to wait at least two signal cycles before passing a signalized intersection for most of the day. This situation continues despite the green signal lasting 90 seconds.

Meanwhile, on sub-arterial stretches like Suranjandas Road, where the green signal takes less than 40 seconds, commuters are forced to wait for at least three to four signal cycles before passing the junction.

Clogged connecting roads

Deeksha C., a regular commuter, said, “It takes at least 15 to 20 minutes on Suranjandas Road near the NGEF signal. Even the alternate routes are jammed, so the only option is to wait, which increases the travel time manifold.”

The knock-on effect of congestion on Old Madras Road and the three sub-arterial stretches is now spreading to link roads as well, adding to the pressure on residential roads.

Vijay Kumar, an autorickshaw driver standing near the NGEF bus stand, said that during peak hours, autorickshaw drivers would not accept rides that required crossing the NGEF Junction unless it was a long-distance journey.

“We can do two to three short distance rides if we don’t have to cross Suranjandas Road-Old Madras Road. So if the short distance rides include this intersection, we don’t accept them,” he said.

He further noted that most two-wheeler riders and autorickshaw drivers drive against the direction of traffic on one-way roads, especially during peak hours when congestion is high. When Hindus visited the area, commuters heading towards the NGEF signal continued to use the one-way stretch towards New Tippasandra, increasing the risk of fatal accidents. Similar scenes persist on both 80 Feet Road and 100 Feet Road during peak hours.

Meanwhile, crossing Suranjandas Junction has become a Herculean task for pedestrians who have barely ten seconds to cross the road, a window that motorists also use. For example, traffic coming from Kallapalli Road turns right, while commuters on Old Madras Road also turn right on the same road, creating an obstruction and endangering pedestrians crossing the road.

Is there any solution?

A senior traffic police officer told The Hindu that a skywalk has been proposed at the junction due to the high volume of pedestrian movement due to the SV Road Metro station. The junction was also listed for improvement under the Suraksha 75 project. However, no work has started. Calls to Central Corporation officials seeking the reason for the delay went unanswered.

Meanwhile, the Bengaluru Traffic Police has synchronized signals along Old Madras Road to improve vehicular movement. However, the measure did not bring the expected results. “We have synchronized the signals, but this stretch is used by several ambulances, so we are still switching to manual control. It is difficult to keep the signals in sync on this stretch,” said a traffic police officer.

However, a senior GBA official said that when HAL Airport Road was de-signaled, there was a proposal to build an underpass but it was later scrapped.

“Now B-SMILE has floated a tender for an elevated corridor connecting KR Puram to Yeshwantpur with multiple drop ramps. Once the project is completed, congestion will be reduced at these junctions as through traffic will use the flyover,” the officer said. However, the project of elevated corridors caused considerable opposition from citizens.

Published – 24 Oct 2026 21:49 IST