Oil spill throws traffic in Bengaluru out of gear, more jams expected
- An oil spill on the road resulted in minor accidents on Old Airpot Road.
- The resulting slow-moving vehicles impacted traffic for over two hours in the Whitefield area.
- The police solution was to dump loose soil on the oil from a nearby Metro construction.
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Motorists in general and two-wheeler riders, in particular, plying on Whitefield Road had a harrowing experience travelling on Wednesdaymorning as an oil spill near Graphite India gate slowed traffic to a crawl.
The issue would have turned worse had the traffic police attached to Old Airport not turned into masons covering the road with loose soil.According to the police, a leaky old tanker plying during the night might have accidentally dumped a large quantity of oil on the road.
"Motorists, especially two-wheelers, skidded and a few tumbled over, resulting in slow moving traffic. From 8:30 am - which is peak hour due to IT firms and schools in the surrounding - were finding it difficult to reach their destination on time. The traffic was worst from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM," said Mohammed MA, Traffic Inspector, Old Airport Traffic Police Station.
He further added that due to the ongoing Metro work in the Whitefield area, traffic volume has increased as construction trucks ply as well. About 25 traffic police personnel were deputed from Marathalli-Ring Road to up to Whitefield area, and four traffic personnel were deputed to cover the oil spill with soil near Graphite India Gate. The workers from the nearby Metro workstation were asked to bring loose soil and cover the oil.
"We are contemplating sending notices to oil companies in Devangonti which is hardly 10 km from here. We will ask them to rectify the leaky oil tankers and keep those tankers away from the road as it causes inconvenience," said Mohammed.
For those returning home via Whitefield, and its surrounding areas like Old Airport Road or Domlur, for example, should keep an eye out, as traffic is expected to be jammed in the evening as well.
Expressing concern on safety and slow moving traffic, Harsavardhan, Co-Founder of Myofficecab, which provides transport to IT companies and private firms says traffic jams and road accidents on Old Airport Road and surrounding junctions near Whitefield and KR Puram are routine.
"Our drivers often complain about cabs getting struck. The oil spill issue keeps pouring very often from these areas due to which our drivers are stuck for hours. The police should crack a whip on these oil tankers that ply in these areas as they are putting lives of people at stake," he said.
