Bengaluru’s NICE-Hosur Road, a key arterial route, was brought to a standstill on Wednesday evening following a bizarre incident where a 16-wheeler truck was abandoned by its driver. The truck, registered in Nagaland, was parked across the road, obstructing traffic for over an hour during peak evening hours, causing widespread inconvenience for commuters. The truck, which was restricted from entering the city between 4:30 PM and 8:00 PM due to the city’s heavy vehicle rules, became the centre of an unexpected traffic crisis.
According to police reports, the driver, frustrated by a ₹2,000 on-the-spot fine for violating the entry restrictions, engaged in a heated argument with the traffic officers. In a dramatic turn of events, the driver abandoned the truck on the road, taking the keys with him and disappearing, leaving the authorities with the challenging task of clearing the obstruction. The truck, parked horizontally, blocked all lanes, leaving no room for any vehicles to pass. Traffic officers, with assistance from other truck drivers, managed to find a solution by using keys borrowed from a similar vehicle, allowing them to shift the truck to the roadside. The vehicle was then relocated to a nearby police station for safekeeping.
Despite rumours of a protest by truck drivers in solidarity with the abandoned driver, claiming that he had been physically assaulted by the police, authorities dismissed these claims. A review of body-worn camera footage confirmed that there were no such incidents, and no protests were held by other drivers. However, the incident, which occurred around 8:00 PM, created significant congestion, forcing traffic police to divert vehicles onto the service road to ease the flow.
An FIR has been filed against the truck driver, who remains untraceable. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Bengaluru’s traffic management system, which is often stressed by the increasing number of vehicles on the roads. While the situation was resolved relatively quickly, it highlights the need for more effective measures to manage traffic flow and prevent such disruptions in the future, especially during peak hours.
As authorities continue to search for the driver, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to traffic regulations, particularly in cities like Bengaluru, where the demand for smoother transportation systems is ever-growing. The challenge lies not only in managing congestion but also in ensuring that such disruptions do not escalate into broader civic issues.
