In a major move to ease congestion at one of the city’s busiest intersections, Mangaluru traffic police have decided to remove the traffic island at Nanthoor Junction and introduce a signal-based system.
The junction, which connects three national highways, has long been a bottleneck for motorists. DCP (Crime and Traffic) Ravi Shankar K said the change aims to ensure smoother vehicle movement and reduce accident risks.
Signals to replace traffic island
The initiative involves coordination between the Mangaluru City traffic police, Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC), Mangaluru Smart City Limited (MSCL) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
“The junction with a traffic island has slopes, and the island disrupts smooth flow, especially for vehicles coming from Bengaluru that need to turn right. Hence, we decided to remove the island and introduce traffic signals,” the DCP said.
MSCL will install signal lamps at the junction.
Free left turns, road widening planned
Free left movement will be permitted from all directions to reduce waiting time and ease congestion. Vehicles travelling from the city towards KPT Junction will benefit from uninterrupted left turns.
Authorities also plan to widen roads at all four approaches to facilitate smoother traffic flow.
Safety upgrades after fatal accident
Referring to the recent death of a woman after a bus rammed her scooter near the Nanthoor bus stand, officials said additional safety measures will be introduced.
A dedicated bus lane will be created using available MCC land. Road markings, zebra crossings, high-mast lighting and other traffic safety measures will also be implemented.
Officials expressed confidence that the removal of the traffic island and the installation of signals will significantly improve safety and efficiency at Nanthoor Junction, a critical arterial point in Mangaluru’s road network.