Mangalore: After imposing the new one-way traffic rule at Balmatta-Bendoorwell for less than a month, the city traffic police department decided to reverse it and reverted to the earlier system on Saturday July 19.

The public had protested on the one-way traffic rule moreover the restaurant owners and other business on the route had submitted a  petition requesting to  restore the earlier system as they were incurring losses.  The auto drivers, hoteliers and a few residents along with doctors of a hospital located in the area had sent a memorandum to the traffic department and to the district administration.  Corporators led by Azeez Kudroli too had submitted a memorandum demanding a review of the traffic rule.

Now, Like earlier it will be a two-way flow of traffic, which means the vehicles are not required to take a roundabout to commute to Bendur well or Kanakanady

Assistant commissioner of police (traffic) Uday N Nayak said the department had introduced the rule as an experiment; however it has been not appropriate and the public has faced problems, due to which we have decided to discontinue.

The rule was enforced on the route from Bendoor to Balmata circle to check the vehicular density and ensure free flow of traffic on the road, although he did not reveal the prime reason of discontinuation.

Earlier the Mangalore traffic police had imposed a free way at Hamapankatta road, which was a great success in keeping the traffic flow smooth. However in the case of the Bendoor Balmatta road, the one way system did ensure smoothness of traffic, but angered commuters and businesses along the way as they were compelled to take a longer route while businesses lost out on time and money conscious customers.  At least 4 accidents too took place on the road after the change of system.