Traffic movement crippled in City

DHNS

Bangalore: 26 July 2010: Bangaloreans were not spared of traffic jams even on a Sunday morning, thanks to the padayatra by Congress leaders. The well-attended padayatra which began from Freedom Park at Ananda Rao Road circle caused road blocks. Though the leaders and workers were walking, a good number of four-wheelers followed them all along Seshadripuram, Anand Rao Circle, Malleswaram and Jalahalli Road.

 

People at Seshadripuram, S C Road, Malleswaram 8th Cross, BHEL Junction, and Mathikere Junction had to witness hour-long bumper to bumper traffic snarls as the Congress men and women of all ages passed through these areas. “I took more than one hour to reach Yeshwanthpur from BHEL Junction,” said Rahul Verma, a student of MS Ramaiah College.

 

Interestingly, Munirathna, Congress Corporator who has been indicted by the Lokayukta in Sanjana Singh’s death case, had organised a grand reception to the party leaders in Yeshwanthpur. Senior leaders Siddaramaiah and others not just walked but they also addressed public meetings at roadside, which blocked the smooth flow of vehicular traffic in many areas.

 

The senior leaders walked in five to six groups hoping that they could avoid inconvenience to the public. But it was of no help as thousands of workers turned up to show their solidarity with the party. Elaborate bandobast was done by the police to maintain law and order. Traffic police personnel were deployed at every vital junctions to ensure a smooth and hassle-free march.

 

Tight security arrangements were in place for the leaders. Around 400 police personnel were deployed at the Freedom Park, the venue for the launch of padayatra. Policemen were seen in large number all along the route. Siddaramaiah had requested Governor Bhardwaj to direct the government to provide adequate security for the padayatra.