Blueprint for dangerous road conditons: Bangalore

[Memphis]

Before I begin, Moderators, this is my first new thread and though I did quite a thorough search for a similar dedicated thread and found only one specifically on Inner Ring Road http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/street...-road-irr.html (Be very conscious while driving in Inner ring road (IRR))
If this needs to be merged or moved to a different sub-forum I would appreciate the effort. Thanks.

Getting down to business, I've been reading quite a few threads related to miserable roads and experiences like http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/street...t-all-bad.html (My Rant on Bangalore Traffic (and now even a note of appreciation... its not all bad)) and some good ones on preventive measures like http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/street...ian-roads.html (Small survival kit for Indian roads.)

Having almost driven into a huge tree stump the other night, it got me thinking in a place like Bangalore where new crater sized potholes, giant unmarked speed breakers or medians and overnight diversions on dark dusty roads is the norm, most of us have this blueprint of the hazards on routes we use frequently in our heads in order to avoid disaster. If we put down a collection of the really dangerous ones from roads we know well, it might help the community and make for a safer and more pleasurable drive. With Bangalore road conditions I'm sure we could compile a huge list (which would need some pretty frequent updating)

Furthermore, people driving down from other places could also use it as a ready reckoner and assuming the concept works, other cities could work on their own blueprints. Assuming I still have your attention despite the lengthy intro, I'll start with my own small contribution which I shall keep adding to in the future, in the post below.

[ph03n!x]

While I agree in having a blueprint for out roads, I was in bed for 6 months (3 in hospital, 3 at home) before I could ride / drive again, that too on a road on the so-called IT highway of Chennai. I beg all BHP-ains to drive fast as you can, but only to an extent where you can stop your rides / drives at a split-second observation. It is not worth it, many would agree!

[Memphis]

Originally Posted by ph03n!x

While I agree in having a blueprint for out roads, I was in bed for 6 months (3 in hospital, 3 at home) before I could ride / drive again, that too on a road on the so-called IT highway of Chennai. I beg all BHP-ains to drive fast as you can, but only to an extent where you can stop your rides / drives at a split-second observation. It is not worth it, many would agree!

I'm sorry to hear about your accident. Please do not think the aim of this blueprint is to enable high speed driving. Quite the opposite. Just gives us a tool to take pre-emptive measures and make driving within the city safer.

For my 1st effort:

Around Cooke Town:
If you are driving down Pottery Road, the intersection with the Railway underbridge has rapidly deteriorated. Be very careful at night and also watch for vehicles coming the wrong way from both underpasses. In the last few days the larger underpass has issues with flooding as overhead water pipes have burst. Preferably use the smaller one.

If you turn left towards the old ITC factory, as the road ascends, just past the turning for Hutchins Road, there is a left curve. Be VERY careful as there is a huge tree stump on the left along the curve.
Further down, the bridge ahead is used as a free-for-all at night. Watch out for vehicles without headlights coming in and out the turnpikes on both sides.

Ulsoor:
As you pass the Gurdwara on your right, the wide road ahead has completely disintegrated. Also there is a huge unmarked barricade in the middle of the road. Keep to the extreme left, drive slow and watch out for it.

Driving from Lakeside hospital (on your right), and crossing the large roundabout if driving straight, there is another small circle. As you turn right along the main road and hit the straight, there are huge potholes on the left. Be cautious specially if coming from the other way as people don't see them till the last second and then swerve onto oncoming traffic.

Old Madras Road:
Generally OMR keeps presenting new hazards and is ill-light with plenty call center traffic movement so always exercise restraint at night. Driving from Ulsoor towards Tin Factory, the interection at Indiranagar RTO office is very dangerous. An unmarked gate is open on the left, bang at the junction, and heavy vehicles working on Namma Metro (mission 2050) swing in and out without warning. It is a blind spot, hoot and/or use lights.
The intersection with 100ft Road is also a mess. If in the right lane watch out for the median. It appears out of nowhere.
Before Bypanahalli Police Station is a Railway line, totally unmarked. Supposedly unused but sometimes late at night trains go thru, so take care.
Suggest you stay away from the median throughout that stretch as it has occassional boulders and stuff next to it.
Slow down as you reach RMZ Infinity. The intersection ahead is tiny, and the road on the left non-existent.

Cubbon Road:
If driving towards Manipal Center, the intersection for going left towards Commercial Street can be hazardous. People turning right from that side come onto the opposite end of the road so potential head-on zone. I found this true at quite a few intersections. (Another one: Indiranagar 100ft Rd, when turning left onto CMH Rd at the lights. Almost got mauled by a lorry the other day.) I tend to speed-up a bit till the Manipal signal, but the right lane now has some nasty craters so beware.

I will keep adding to the list and making changes when necessary. Guess we should try to stick to major hazards or this could go on forever. Also, maybe include major route diversions that Traffic Police informs road users about promptly (NOT!). Example: driving around Garuda Mall, etc.
Resources I normally find useful for street orientation:
Yahoo! India Maps
Roads of India - Beta
Google Maps
MapmyIndia.com Online maps, GPS Navigation, Driving Directions, Local Search

Comments, additions and feedback are most welcome. Happy driving.