BELAGAVI
The Belagavi-based Citizens Council has sought immediate restrictions on the movement of heavy vehicles within city limits, especially multi-axle vehicles from Goa and Karwar during peak daytime hours, citing growing concerns over traffic congestion and public safety.
"The ongoing construction work at the 3rd and 4th Railway Gates has compelled all vehicular traffic to pass through the 1st and 2nd Railway Gates on Congress Road. These two crossings now serve as the sole link between the eastern and western parts of the city. As a result, Congress Road remains heavily congested for most of the day,” stated a memorandum which was submitted to Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase on Tuesday.
In its representation, the council has highlighted that this corridor houses several traffic-sensitive institutions, including more than 17 schools, over 20 colleges, major hospitals, commercial establishments, theatres, malls, hotels and restaurants.
The Belagavi Railway Station, located within city limits, handles over 28 long-distance trains daily, resulting in frequent gate closures that further aggravate traffic woes.
"The city's largest industrial area, where over 10,000 workers commute daily, mostly using Congress Road. Compounding the problem are two major city bus stands, more than 23 bus shelters, and a rapidly growing vehicle population, including over 10,000 auto-rickshaws, 80,000 private cars and nearly 1.5 lakh two-wheelers," Satish Tendulkar said.
The council warned that the unrestricted movement of heavy vehicles through narrow city roads has created a hazardous situation, often blocking ambulances and emergency services, endangering schoolchildren and patients, and causing prolonged traffic snarls. It also cited damage to road infrastructure and rising air and noise pollution.
Citizens Council has urged an immediate or time-based ban on heavy vehicles within city limits, particularly along Congress Road near railway crossings and hospital zones, with mandatory diversion to bypass routes.
The memorandum was submitted by Satish Tendulkar, Basavraj Javali, Vikas Kalghatgi, Mukesh Khoda, Nitesh Jain, and Raju Paliwala.
