Blocked for You, Cleared for Them: The Belagavi Barricade Story

Belagavi, the city of Kunda, chill weather, and the classic “VIP bypass,” has recently added another feather to its cap: Barricade Capital of Karnataka. From the moment you hit the city streets, it’s a labyrinth of metal barriers, traffic cones, and—dare we say it—logic-defying detours. For the common citizen, fondly called the “Mango Man,” life in Belagavi feels like a real-life video game with only one rule: VIP always wins.

The Lake View Hospital Cross Fiasco

Take the cross near Lake View Hospital, for instance. For years, it was the escape route for those heading toward Gandhinagar and Shankam Hotel, as the cross road at Ashoka Circle is barricaded. But recently, the traffic police, in their infinite wisdom, decided to barricade this too. Now, the Mango Man has to travel an extra 200 meters, just to make a U-turn, because apparently, traffic “flows better” when the tax-paying citizen has to burn more fuel.

But wait—does the same rule apply to VIPs? Of course not! When a convoy flashes its beacons, the barricades vanish faster than Belagavi’s summer mist. The message is clear: Mango Man’s taxes? Useful. Mango Man himself? Not so much.

Sanman Road’s Vanishing Act

Another gem in this barricade bonanza is the barricade near Hotel Sanman. It stands firm every day, forcing drivers to reroute and pray for better days. But when there’s a VIP function at Gandhi Bhavan? Poof! The barricade disappears like magic. Once the event is over and the VIP has cruised away, the barricade reappears, as if it never left. It’s almost like watching a badly written play where the props keep moving around.

Congress Road: A Divider of Classes

Then there’s Congress Road near Veer Soudha. A section of the divider was conveniently removed so VIP vehicles could make a smooth turn. Mango Man thought, “Maybe this is progress for everyone!” Alas, the dream lasted a few days. The divider was reinstated faster than the tax deadline, and the Mango Man was back to his routine of navigating the long way around. Why the VIPs alone got a shortcut remains a mystery, second only to the question of why Belagavi’s traffic cops love barricades more than common sense.

The Rise of Wrong-Side Warriors

With all these detours, barricades, and blocked paths, one thing is rising steadily: wrong-side driving. Frustrated citizens, tired of burning extra fuel and losing precious time, now take the road less legal. Who’s to blame? The traffic police say it’s the Mango Man’s impatience. The Mango Man says it’s the traffic police’s obsession with barricades. And so, the blame game continues, much like the city’s unending U-turns.

And then there’s the Khanapur Road near Tilakwadi Goaves petrol pump, where the traffic scene looks like a live-action stunt show. The latest attraction? Trucks—yes, full-sized, fuel-guzzling trucks—casually taking the wrong side to avoid the U-turn at RPD College. It’s almost poetic: the very vehicles that should be following stricter rules, given their size and potential to create chaos, are now leading the rebellion.

Where Does It End?

Every time a VIP breezes past a magically cleared road, the Mango Man’s heart sings a sarcastic tune:

“Dil barricade barricade kare, par VIP ki entry aasaan rahe.”

But jokes aside, the question remains: why does the common man, the one who pays taxes, follow rules, and funds these very barricades, have to suffer while VIPs get the red-carpet treatment? Perhaps one day, the barricades will turn into bridges of understanding, and the Mango Man will finally get the smooth ride he deserves.