Yeyyadi junction is Mangaluru’s new traffic 'block spot'

Mangaluru, 

For years, Nanthoor Junction carried the reputation of being Mangaluru's most dreaded traffic bottleneck. However, a relatively lesser-known junction at Yeyyadi is now rapidly earning that distinction, leaving motorists frustrated and commuters stranded in lengthy traffic snarls almost every day. The problem has intensified following the re-development of a new road connecting Bikarnakatte to Yeyyadi behind the industrial area.

Motorists travelling from Kulshekar, Vamanjoor, BC Road and Bantwal towards Bondel, Kuloor and the northern parts of the city have discovered a shortcut that helps them avoid the signal heavy stretches at Nanthoor, Padua and KPT. What was once a quiet neighbourhood junction is now witnessing a flood of vehicles from multiple directions.

The narrow intersection, never designed to handle such traffic volumes, is struggling to cope with the increasing number of cars, two-wheelers, auto-rickshaws, school buses and goods vehicles converging simultaneously. During peak hours, the situation often turns chaotic. As vehicles approach the junction from all directions, many motorists attempt to squeeze through without yielding to others, creating a gridlock that can take several minutes to clear.

Residents say traffic jams have become a daily affair, particularly during school and office hours in the mornings and evenings. The worst affected are motorists travelling along the busy Airport Road. Unlike those taking shortcuts through interior roads, Airport Road users have few alternative routes. As traffic spills over from the junction, long queues develop, delaying commuters and disrupting the smooth flow of vehicles heading towards the airport, Bondel and the city centre.

"The traffic is becoming unbearable. Some days it takes nearly 15 minutes just to cross the junction," says Preetham S., an auto-rickshaw driver who ferries school children to educational institutions in the city. "The delays affect school timings, and parents become anxious when children arrive late."

The impact extends beyond daily commuters. Emergency service providers say traffic congestion at the junction could have serious consequences. Francis Mendonca, who operates an ambulance service in the city, says emergency vehicles often get trapped in the bottleneck. "Every minute matters during a medical emergency. Unfortunately, ambulances are sometimes forced to wait because vehicles are packed tightly from all sides and there is no space to move," he points out.

Office-goers share similar concerns. Many employees travelling from the outskirts towards the city say the unpredictability of traffic at Yeyyadi has become a major challenge. "Even when we leave home early, we are not sure how much delay we will face at the junction," says a private-sector employee who commutes daily through the area.

The traffic situation occasionally improves when personnel from the Kadri Traffic Police are deployed to regulate vehicle movement. However, motorists argue that such arrangements are temporary and that a permanent solution is urgently required. Authorities have recently installed speed breakers and rumble strips in an attempt to regulate traffic movement and improve safety.

While these measures have helped reduce speeding, they have done little to address the congestion itself. Another contributing factor is indiscriminate parking near nearby shops and a place of worship located close to the junction. Vehicles parked along the roadside often narrow the carriageway further, reducing available space and worsening traffic flow.

Residents are now demanding long-term interventions, including widening of the junction, installation of traffic signals, dedicated turning lanes, relocation of parking areas and stricter enforcement against illegal roadside parking. As Mangaluru continues to expand, Yeyyadi Junction has become a glaring example of infrastructure struggling to keep pace with changing traffic patterns.