Sankey Tank road widening gets High Court green signal ,BBMP directed to complete the work within 12 months

Putting an end to the battle that has raged between the residents of Malleswaram and the BBMP, the High Court of Karnataka on Wednesday allowed the civic body to go ahead with widening of Sankey Tank Road.


 

 

Passing orders on the writ petition filed by Meenakshi Bharat and others, the Division Bench comprising Justices N Kumar and H S Kempanna ruled that there was no mala fide intention on the part of the BBMP and the road was being widened in public interest.

The BBMP has also been directed to take preventive steps to ensure that the Sankey tank bund is not breached under the guise of development and widening of the road and also take effective steps to see that the saplings planted are protected.

The Court has also directed the NGO Hasiru Usiru to coordinate with the BBMP to protect and preserve the tank bund as a part of the environmental protection programme. Further, Hasiru Usiru has been given the liberty to approach the Court, if the BBMP does not comply with the Tree Preservation Act, while cutting trees along the side of the road.

The Bench directed the BBMP to complete the process of road widening within 12 months from the date of the judgment. On the question whether the decision to widen the road ran contrary to the provisions of Section 13(1) of the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act 1961, the Bench ruled in the negative stating that the decision to widen the road to 30 metres was taken in 1984 and whatever subsequent changes were made to the plan, the length of the road was not changed.

Since a public opinion was taken in 1984, the Court ruled that it was not mandatory for the civic body to again take public opinion on the width of the road. Further, the Court accepted that the stretch from Bhashyam Circle to Malleswaram 18th Cross needed to be widened to accommodate the heavy traffic coming from and moving towards Yeshwantpur.

The Court criticised the civic agencies and observed: “The plan to increase the road length to 30 metres was taken in 1984. Unfortunately it shows how a public authority functions as even after 26 years, the civic authorities are unable to provide the said road.”

While acknowledging the environmental concerns behind the cutting of the trees to
facilitate the road widening, the Court observed that it was important to strike a balance between ecological balance and development as both were required.

Encroachment by school

The Court also directed the BBMP to take steps to settle the civil dispute involving encroachment of the BBMP land by a school on the stretch. About 600 sq metres of land has allegedly been encroached by a school, and the institute had filed a civil suit to prevent the BBMP from taking any action against it. Ever since the BBMP decided to fell 19 trees on the stretch between Bhashyam Circle in Sadashivanagar and Malleswaram 18th Cross, residents of Malle­swaram have been staging a determined protest to save the trees and protest against the road widening. But BBMP has so far managed to fell 17 of the 19 trees and with this order, they can now fell the remaining two trees and widen the Sankey Road to 27 metres from the existing 12 metres.

The stretch from 18th cross to CNR Rao Junction is 16.5 metres wide and from there to Yeshwantpur Circle it is 24 metres. The entire stretch will be uniformly widened to 27 metres.

In its argument, the BBMP had submitted that prior to launching the road widening drive, it had referred the matter to an expert committee of Directorate of Urban Land Transport.

The report prepared by it said that the stretch from Bhashyam Circle along the Sankey Road had to be widened, but it was very difficult as the road passed through a tank bed.
It also said that the land had been encroached and suggested recovering it and widening the road with a slight change in alignment, as no land acquisition was required.

Elevated Expressway to Airport to be Operational by November 2012

This project is expected to be complete by Nov 2012 .3.2 KM Expresssway, 2 Underpasses, 3 small subways under construction.

Signal Free Outer Ring Road Update

                 pics of Kadubeesanahalli flyover

• Kalya Nagar second arm opened for traffic.
• Kadubeesanahally Underpass, Mahadevpura second arm will be opened for public in 2 weeks.
• Veerapanapalya first flyover , HSR second arm by Dec End.
• Bellandur first arm by Jan End.
• Veerapanapalya second arm, bellandur second Arm , devarabeesanahally both arms by March/April.
• Henur grade seperator, BEL underpass will take another 7 months.

Zoom on eight-lane corridor to station

If everything goes as per plan, you can reach the City Railway Station from Malleswaram and Rajajinagar without any hassles including the zillion signals on this stretch. The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is gearing up to construct an eight-lane corridor between Okalipuram Junction and Fountain Circle known as Sangolli Rayanna Circle near Kempe Gowda Bus Stand.As per the plan, apart from an eight-lane corridor between Okalipuram Junction and Fountain Circle, the Railway under-bridge (RUB) on Bangalore-Chennai railway line and another one on Bangalore Tumkur line will be extended to eight lanes from the existing two lanes.

To facilitate the smooth movement of vehicles from Malleswaram to Rajajinagar, an 272.92 m length underpass is to be constructed. To make signal-free commuting between Rajajinagar and Majestic, the BBMP plans to construct a 665- m long eight-lane road."We had floated tenders and short-listed two of them — Simplex and Nagarajuna Construction Company. We will finalise on one of them for the construction work soon,” says A S Ramesh, Executive Engineer of Projects, BBMP.

A 233.72-m long flyover near the City Railway station to benefit commuters on the Malleswaram-Majestic stretch is also set to be constructed soon. The South-Western Railways on its part is constructing a new building on the existing premises to connect the Railways building to the signal-free corridor. According to reliable sources, the Railways has agreed to hand over three acres of its land towards the project.

“The construction of railway under-bridges will be taken up by the South Western Railways. The BBMP has agreed to bear the cost. It is estimated to cost Rs 28 crore. Recently, the Railway authorities visited the spot,” said Ramesh.

The BBMP sources say that the project is being taken up as per the instructions of the then Chief Minister based on a letter written by Urban Development Minister S Suresh Kumar on November 13, 2008. The project is estimated to cost the BBMP approximately Rs 115 crore.

The BBMP sources said that the proposal will be placed before the standing committee on major works for its approval and later before the BBMP Council. After getting the BBMP Council nod, the proposal will be sent to Cabinet approval since it is a major project.

“We will commence the work as soon as Cabinet gives its nod. The project will benefit people from Malleswaram, Rajajinagar and other areas to reach the City Railway Station without any problems,” says B T Ramesh, Engineer-in-Chief of the BBMP.

Government nod for metro Phase II soon

Project report for 72.1-km network likely to be approved in the next Cabinet meeting

Even as work on Phase I of Namma Metro is in progress in the city, the Government is set to move on to Phase II.

Sources in the Government told that the detailed project report (DPR) for Phase II was most likely to be approved in the next Cabinet meeting.

This will pave the way for the proposal to be sent to the Union Government for its approval.

Getting ready

With Reach I of Phase I of the metro successfully made operational, and work on other reaches in progress, the Government thought it fit to keep everything ready for the next phase, the sources said. Mobilisation of resources, acquisition of land and detailed planning had to be taken up beforehand for the smooth progress of the project, they added.

Despite suggestions that Phase II should be taken up on a public-private partnership model, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (DMRCL), which has prepared the DPR, has reportedly recommended that the project be taken up only by government agencies. Both the State and Union governments have accepted this suggestion.

Funds

The cost of Phase II has been pegged at around Rs. 21,000 crore for the 72.1-km route network with 69 stations and the rolling stock.

Union Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath, while flagging off the commercial run of Namma Metro Reach I on October 20, promised that the Centre would extend its full support for Phase II. Last week, he said the Union Government was prepared to bear half the cost of the project, including external loans.

Under Phase II, the Government and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. intend to extend the reach of Namma Metro to the periphery of the Bangalore urban agglomeration.

On the east-west corridor, DMRCL, in its DPR, recommends that the Phase I network be extended up to Whitefield from the existing terminating point at Byappanahalli in the east (15.5 km) and up to Kengeri from the terminating point near Nayandahalli on Mysore Road in the west (6.5 km).

Similarly on the north-south corridor, it suggests that the network be extended up to Bangalore International Exhibition Centre from Hessarghatta Cross (3.8 km) in the north and up to Anjanapura township from Puttenahalli Cross in the south (6.3 km).

These extensions would cater to the high passenger potential in the newly developed areas, the report says.

New trunk lines

It also suggests a new trunk line to be constructed between Gottigere on Bannerghatta Road in south Bangalore and Nagavara in east Bangalore (21.2 km). The line will pass through the Indian Institute of Management and Dairy Circle, from where it will go underground via Hosur Road, Vellara junction, Brigade Road, Cauvery Emporium junction, Kamaraja Road, Cantonment Railway Station, Tannery Road and Outer Ring Road junction.

Another branch will be constructed between R.V. Road Station in Jayanagar, which is part of north-south corridor, and Bommasandra Industrial Estate, off Hosur Road (18.8 km). The route will pass via BTM Layout, Central Silk Board junction and Electronics City.

Cross this road at your peril

39 pedestrians were knocked down,three fatally,in accidents on the stretch between Iblur and Agara junction on the Outer Ring Road in the last one year.Victims claim the stretch is dangerous because of a lack of street lights

Acombination of apathy on the part of local authorities and speeding motorists has made the stretch between Agara junction and Iblur junction on the Outer Ring Road dangerous - if not the most dangerous.The road is in darkness due to a lack of street lights,but despite compelling evidence in the form of a number of accidents,the civic authorities refuse to act.
Ramya Karthik remembers the day she was knocked down near Agara junction three years ago.A car rammed into me as I was crossing the road because there were no street lights, says the software engineer.
Ramya is one of the 39 pedestrians to have been involved in accidents on this stretch in the last one year.Three have died,one of them a 75-year-old man who was knocked down by a BMTC bus about six months ago.Yet,more than 80 per cent of this stretch still lacks street lights and an on-going BDA project for a signal-free corridor from TR Mills to St Johns hospital has only aggravated the problem.
The stretch is not more than 3.5 km,but the density of traffic makes people feel like they have travelled several miles, says Rehan Shariff who travels daily from Banashankari to Sarjapur.
The journey takes at least an hour, says Anchal Khanna,Shariffs car pooling partner.I was hoping that things would improve after the Agara and Iblur flyovers were built,but in vain.
The problem is even worse near Iblur junction,which has the police and army grounds on either side.
If there are apartments,the lights from them would help.But this junction is always in darkness, says Aneesh Kamath,who also uses the stretch regularly.
There are other problems plaguing the stretch.The road near Iblur junction has become narrower because one side has been dug up.But after a point,it suddenly opens up.After crawling in bumper-tobumper traffic,motorists start speeding when they see an open road.Pedestrians are the worst sufferers, says Shreyas Rane,a resident of an apartment complex nearby.
Locals complain that the lack of street lights is causing law and order problems too.Vivek Agarwal,a resident of Mantri Sarovar apartments near Silk Board,says,Once,windshields of four cars parked outside the complex were smashed by miscreants.Eunuchs solicit customers taking advantage of the darkness.
Inspector Lakshmi Narayan of Madiwala police station says,The flyovers have street lights,but not the roads nearby.We have complained several times to the BDA,which looks after the stretch,but theres been no response.

COPS TURN TO FACEBOOK

A WEEK ago,a speeding white Maruti car rammed into Vinod,who was on his bike waiting to cross an intersection.The father of two,who is in his thirties,suffered multiple fractures to his leg.The traffic polices camera has not been able to get a clear picture of the number plate of the car.M A Saleem,additional commissioner of police (traffic ) told Bangalore Mirror,We have issued an alert to all the garages in the city asking them to report damaged Maruti cars.We have also told the Tamil Nadu police to look out for the car because it was heading towards Hosur. The police have gone on Facebook to nab the hit-and-run driver.Footage from the CCTV camera has been uploaded on the Facebook page of the traffic police and the cops are asking people if they saw the speeding vehicle.

After a point,the narrow road near Iblur junction opens up,and motorists tend to zip

New parking arrangements at BIA

As part of the ongoing Terminal 1 expansion project,the Bangalore International Airport (BIA) is shifting the approach roads and changing the parking arrangements from Tuesday.
The current approach roads will be closed from 12 noon on Tuesday and traffic will be diverted to two new roads,which will use the central walkway for entry and exit to the terminal building.The new kerbs connecting to the terminal building will have covered walkways.The P4 (the 10-minute free parking) and P5 (premium parking) spaces will also be closed.
According to BIAL sources,the new arrangements have been made to facilitate the construction of the roof structure and overhead canopy of the expanded terminal building.The overhead canopies will extend over 40 metres in front of the roof of the present terminal,providing shelter to passengers both in the inner and outer lanes.
The safety and comfort of airport users is BIAs priority.Enhanced presence of airport staff in the affected areas,in addition to well-placed signage will ensure that passengers are not inconvenienced and are directed to the terminal building.We urge passengers to stick to marked walkways, said BIA president (operations) Hari Marar.
BIA started the Terminal 1 expansion project in June 2011 and it is scheduled to be operational in early 2013.

Bypass route to de-congesting city

NHAI proposes to expand the existing two-lane Tumkur Road-Old Madras Road link into a four-lane highway

When S M Krishna was the chief minister,he had announced that the city would have a Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) to decongest traffic inside the city.That never took off and the government decided to hand over the PRR project to the Bangalore Development Authority and then to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and again to BDA.
Meanwhile,the NHAI has proposed an alternative plan to develop the existing bypass road from Tumkur Road to Old Madras Road,both of which fall under NH-4.The 90-km road,which starts from Dobbespet (Tumkur Road),will pass through Doddaballapur (Hindupur-Penugonda road) and Devanahalli (Hyderabad road) before joining NH-4 at Hoskote (Tirupati-Chennai road).
NHAI officials said they had submitted a proposal to the Centre for upgrading the existing two-lane road into a four-lane highway,which will have multiple flyovers at busy junctions to ensure a hassle-free drive from Tumkur Road to Hosur Road.
The project is essential as it caters to higher vehicular density.Tumkur Road,for instance,has a density of 6,000 passenger car units (PCU) per hour,Doddaballapur 3,000 PCUs,Devanahalli 8,000 PCUs and Hoskote 6,000 PCUs.
According to NHAI sources,the existing Dobbespet-Hoskote road is part of the NH-207.Though it is a vital link road,it is in a pathetic state,full of potholes,and most motorists avoid it.
Traffic expert Prof M N Sreehari said,This project is worthwhile.Most of the vehicular traffic in Bangalore is transit as heavy vehicles coming from Mumbai or Hyderabad and heading towards south or Chennai pass through the city.These are mostly long trucks that restrict traffic movement.
He said if the road is developed,then these vehicles can take the new road and reduce the number of vehicles entering the city by 2,000 every day.It will not only reduce congestion near Nelamangala and KR Puram,but also reduce congestion in the Outer Ring Road.
The road could also be an alternative to those going to the airport.

The road will have multiple flyovers at busy junctions to ensure a hassle-free drive

Metro phase II Masterplan

DMRCL favours govt agency for Metro phase II Bangalore

BMRCL has begun mobilisation of resources .The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMCRL), which has prepared a detailed project report (DPR) for Namma Metro's phase II, is learnt to have recommended only government agencies to carry out the project.

Sources close to the development said that both the Centre and the State government have agreed to the suggestion. The State government is all set to go ahead with the phase II of the Namma Metro project involving a route network of 72.1 km, sources said. The DPR is likely to be cleared in the next Cabinet meeting following which it would be sent to the Centre for clearance.

The BMRCL has begun mobilisation of resources, acquisition of land and other planning activity to avoid initial hiccup that was witnessed while launching work on phase I of the project with a route network of 42.3-km. The DPR estimates the cost of Phase II at around Rs 21,000 crore. The stretch will have about 69 stations.

Under Phase II, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) also intends to extend the reach of routes under Phase I to the periphery of the City.

The DPR recommends that the network on the East-West Corridor of phase I could be extended up to Whitefield from the existing terminating point at Byappanahalli on the East (15.5 km) and up to Kengeri from the present terminating point at Mysore Road Terminal near Nayandahalli on the West (6.5 km).

Also, it suggests that the network could be extended up to Bangalore International Exhibition Centre from Hessarghatta Cross (3.8 km) on the North and up to Anjanapura Township from Puttenahalli Cross on the South (6.3 km).

Besides, it recommends a new trunk line between Gottigere and Nagavara passing through the Indian Institute of Management and Dairy Circle from where it goes underground via Hosur Road, Madiwala, Vellara Junction, Brigade Road, Cauvery Emporium Junction, Kamaraja Road, Cantonment Railway Station, Tannery Road and Outer Ring Road Junction

NICE connectivity triggering growth

Over two decades after the Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Project (BMICP) was approved, the 41 km stretch of road, popularly known as the NICE road (Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises), connecting Tumkur to Hosur, has literally transformed the landscape of the region it is winding through.

With five intersections lying between the Hosur and Tumkur junctions, the NICE road has triggered tremendous development in the peripheral regions of Kanakapura road, Magadi road, Peenya, Mysore road. These regions had earlier been difficult areas to access because of lack of good connectivity. NICE road has changed all that.

For instance, areas like Peenya, Magadi are no more looked at as industrial belts housing lower income groups but as potential growth pockets, especially given their proximity to the city. Interestingly, these areas are merely around 12 km from the city centre as compared to areas like Whitefield and Sarjapur which saw a meteoric growth over the last decade.

Kanakapura Road

The Kanakapura road has seen tremendous growth in real estate developments over the last few years and especially after the NICE corridor from the Kanakapura junction became operational. The presence of the NICE corridor meant that a resident in Kanakapura would have easy access to Hosur and electronic city on one side and Mysore road, Magadi road and Tumkur on the other.

Since the NICE road became operational, many developers have launched projects on Kanakapura road, with the prospect of much more to happen in the coming years. According to Farook Mahmood, Chairman, Silverline Realty, “Kanakapura road is presently a hot spot for future growth given its location and connectivity because of the NICE corridor.”

Tumkur Road

Similar trends can be seen in Tumkur road too which was earlier host to only the Peenya industrial estate, with prospects of high growth remaining slim. “The dynamics has altered after the connectivity offered by NICE corridor, besides the presence of our Bangalore International Exhibition Centre on Tumkur road”, says a Spokesperson of NICE.

According to the Spokesperson, areas like Kanakapura road, Mysore road and Magadi road have become more attractive for real estate growth after the NICE road connectivity as compared to North Bangalore. “North Bangalore has not taken off the way it was expected, for various reasons, chief of which is the low water table in that region.”

Interestingly, the rapid growth in real estate investment in these areas was purely contributed by the connectivity offered by NICE corridor as no other sector had significantly contributed to it. This wasn’t so in the case of areas like Whitefield and Sarjapur Road where the IT boom triggered a spate of real estate investments.

Price rise

The real estate prices in these areas reflect this trigger in demand. “The value of land in Tumkur has shot by 600% over the period 2004-11. Places like Hosur have registered a 1000% increase in land value during the same period,” says spokesperson, NICE.

The NICE corridor has also boosted real estate investment in other areas skirting its road. “BDA layouts have been formed in areas like Banashankari 6th stage, Vishweshawaraya, Anjanapura, and further extensions and these have seen brisk investments because of the potential growth triggered by the NICE corridor connectivity”, he adds.

While the land prices have shot up in these areas, they will not overshoot the affordable bracket according to Farook. “The law of supply and demand will start operating eventually and the increasing rates would stabilise if more land parcels come up for sale which is unmatched by demand.”

While developers have evinced keen interest in these areas, especially in the Kanakapura road region, Farook adds that the rates have been varied depending on the nature of the projects. “Both high end and mid-segment projects have been launched with the rates varying based on the facilities offered.”

Interesting projects

Puravankara Projects have been one of the first to come up with a large development, Purva Highlands, on the NICE corridor, off Kanakapura road. Says Ashish Puravankara, Joint Managing Director, Puravankara Projects Limited, “The project has been well received by buyers as they want to capitalize on the growth of this area.”

He further adds, “Infrastructure development is the key driver for real estate growth as it brings in connectivity, enabling the geographic expansion of cities. The NICE corridor is an excellent example, integrating areas, in turn giving impetus to both commercial and residential development in the region.”

Incidentally, the NICE corridor is only one half of the ring road planned for the city. Once the Peripheral Ring Road that is planned becomes operational, the ring road would be complete and this would mean a tremendous boost to areas bordering it. As for connectivity, the city would be able to sing a different tune, with the traffic easing significantly and the currently difficult to access areas fusing into the main city.

Train, solution to traffic woes?

Sathya, a software employee, takes a bus to Majestic Bus Stand from his house in Nagarbhavi and then takes a train from the City Railway Station to Whitefield. By bus, this distance of around 35 kilometres would take him close to two and a half hours to reach his office.

But the train ride between Majestic and Whitefield reduces the travelling time to 45 minutes.

While the Bangalore Metropolitan Rail Corporation Limited’s (BMRCL) dream project is yet to ground itself in reality, citizens feel all one needs is a little effort and imagination which uses the existing infrastructure of rail and bus routes to end commuter woes. With both express and passenger trains stopping at railway stations within the city, most travellers feel that this mode of transport is both a realistic and a convenient option.

“There is a Volvo bus available at a frequency of five minutes everyday between Majestic and Whitefield. But it takes nearly two hours to reach Whitefileld. The Chennai Express which leaves the City Railway Station at 8 in the morning takes me to Whitefield in 35 minutes,” says Pandit, a software employee who regularly commutes on this route. Meanwhile, commuters are forced to bear the brunt of the Bangalore Metro construction work on narrow roads filled with potholes.

The Reach 3 of Metro between Peenya and Swastik Circle is expected to be inaugurated in 2013. It is under these circumstances that an already established facility like the railways remains largely ignored and under-utilised.

Cheap and Convenient

Sparingly used, the railways have routes that cover most parts of the city. A four rupee ticket is all it takes to travel from Byappanahalli to Bangalore East. Skipping major traffic hot-spots such as the Old Madras Road, Hennur Main Road, Outer Ring Road, the train takes about five minutes to reach Richards Town which is right opposite Bangalore East Railway Station.

Another route that is largely unheard of is the 67 km Yeshwantpur- Hosur rail route. Starting at the Yeshwantpur station, the passenger train stops at six stations on the way helping commuters skip the maddening traffic in the northern and eastern parts of the city. Covering Banaswadi, Bellandur Road and Karmelaram, this train is a rather cheap, convenient mode of transport for commuters traversing the length and breadth of the city every day.

Not comprehensive

“Using the train can be an interesting alternative to beat the traffic. The frequency of trains is good during peak hours making them viable options for travel,” said Sathya. While the railways prove to be an enticing alternative to congested city roads, they do not cover all areas.

Jayanagar, Basavanagudi and Banashankari are not close to any railway station in the city. While residents of Banashankari could come to Nayandahalli or Jnanabharathi Railway Station, other commuters from Jayanagar and Basavanagudi will have to come to the City Railway Station.

“The rail network was set up in areas which were densely populated. To set up new railway stations and laying new tracks now is a difficult affair,” said Biswas, public relations officer, South Western Railway. But the Railways is willing to increase the frequency of trains, if there is a demand. There are only two Yeshwantpur-Hosur passenger trains everyday. “These two trains- one in the morning and evening - run empty. We will increase the frequency if there is a demand,” said Biswas.

He added that there is a high cost involved when it comes to starting or stopping a train.

‘Not competing with Metro’

“The Metro has been designed for local travel. We have already helped people travel locally through our existing routes. These two facilities cannot be compared and are not competing with each other,” said Biswas. Commuters who are using the rail route to travel within the city feel that the frequency of trains needs to be increased but believe it is difficult to do so with current infrastructure. “In the evening, trains have to stop at crossings and a lot of time is lost there. And if they increase the frequency, there are not enough platforms in the existing stations,” said Sathya.

Bangalore looks to Israeli technology to address civic woes

Despite offering several opportunities, Bangalore has remained vulnerable to power and water problems. The state government's efforts to address the issues could not achieve significant results. Lakes and waterbodies continue to remain dirty and people remain victims of frequent power outages.
The situation, however, is likely to change in the future with deputy mayor S Harish coming up with ideas to save electricity and innovative methods to make the cities waterbodies clean. Harish and his 13-member team have returned after a visit to Israel to attend the WATEC 2011, an international conference and exhibition, which focused on water, sustainable energy, and environmental technologies from November 15-17.
At the event in Tel Aviv, innovative technologies related to water, sewage, renewable and solid waste were demonstrated, said Harish.
"We had an opportunity to visit the Arrow Ecology Municipal Solid waste plant in Tel Aviv, which is an integrated solution for the treatment of unsorted or mixed municipal solid waste of 300 tonnes capacity per day," he said, adding that he was impressed by the company's performance.
Harish said he is keen on the Israeli firm setting up a plant in Bangalore. He said that the Arrow facility provides a unique hydro-mechanical separation and about 90% materials are recovered. The advantage of the technology is that it produces high volumes of methane, a green energy source that can be used to generate power, recovers more than 80-90% of recyclable material (metals, plastics, cardboard, paper, glass and more), quantity of waste to be land-filled is low (20%), zero emission, no odour or other air, water and ground pollution, eliminates the need for pre-sorting and produces clean and stabilised compost (fertiliser), he added.
The deputy mayor said that, next week, Arrow representatives will visit the BBMP for a demonstration. "We are satisfied with the work done by the Arrow ecology and will provide the required land for the company on the city's outskirts if the mayor and council give their consent," he said.
The Arrow Ecology & Engineering Overseas is a unit of Arrow Ecology. Their technology ArrowBio treats Municipal Solid Waste to recover recyclables and produce renewable energy. It can handle residential and commercial wastes, accepting both unsorted and sorted ones, with its heterogeneity, variability, abrasiveness and wetness.
In addition to separating 70%-80% of recyclable materials (valorization), the 'organic fraction' is separated, purified and prepared, in order to produce biogas (55%-75% methane), and fertiliser.
Only 20%-30% residues are sent to landfills, thereby increasing recycling percentages, minimising pollution, reducing waste treatment costs, and producing renewable electricity.
How it works
The ArrowBio process is divided into two main steps, separation process—dry and wet—and biological process, which includes anaerobic digestion and aerobic treatment.
The ArrowBio plant will use a system where the municipal waste is separated and transferred to biological system for anaerobic digestion.
The main products are biogas, soil improver and excess water.

Namma Metro is now an iPhone app

Bangalores Metro Rail has zipped into the Apple Store and is now one of more than five lakh applications developed for iPhone users across the globe.
The Namma Metro app,developed by private firm O Clock Software,gives information about the citys latest mass transportation system,making it easy for users to navigate through the latest attractions on Namma Metro,its routes,stops and BMRCLs other expansion works.
With this application,Namma Metro has joined the band of other prestigious metro networks like Washington Metro,New York subway,and Metro Paris Subway networks which provide service to iPhone users.
But unlike other metro applications,this one gets you rare photographs of its making including tunnel construction,detailed drawings and 3D modules of various stations.Incidentally,Namma Metro is the first metro service in the country to have wi-fi connectivity.

A HANDY THING

Currently available as a free app,it aims to make the metro ride an easy affair,guiding users through a variety of information ranging from electrical connectivity and present status of various reaches.This apart,the service provides a detailed route map of Reach 1 and Reach 2.
Girish V,a city-based aeronautical engineer,said,The application is handy while navigating through the various facilities of Namma Metro.The photos and videos section offers you rare glimpses into the construction of Namma Metro.

No City Can Match Bangalore in Infrastructure :Mohandas Pai

Double-deckers may hit city roads

In what could be a new excitement for commuters in Bangalore after the Metro, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is working on a plan to revive the long-extinct double-decker buses on city roads as early as 2012. 

The corporation is currently undertaking a feasibility report to ascertain whether the changed roads and infrastructure of Bangalore are conducive for double-deckers, which had disappeared from the city roads several years ago.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, BMTC Managing Director K R Srinivasa said the road infrastructure now may present an obstacle to double-deckers.

“Volvo will be ready to supply them. However, in the city, we are unable to find any stretch of roads without an underpass or hanging branches. With this in the background, no double-decker can ever ply on major routes,” he said. According to him, the routes where AC double-deckers will prove profitable are the ones with many underpasses, magic boxes and trees lining the roads.

M P Prabhudas, Chief Traffic Manager Operations, said: “When I and MD Srinivas visited London in September, we discussed about getting the London model of double-decker to Bangalore. But the road system is very difficult here.”

An official from Volvo Buses India said: “In the coming Auto Expo in 2012, we will display a variety of new products for both inter state and city buses. However, the double-decker will not be displayed as BMTC is yet to make a request for it.”

The official further added that the company was more than happy to meet up any demand for the double-decker from BMTC.

Metro Reach-2,3,4 and UG Progress Report

Reach-3 (December 2012 )

 

Reach-4 (January 2014)

 

Reach-2 (September 2014)

Under Ground (Deadline Not yet Fixed)

Work on Reach-2 picks up pace

As the commuter response to recently inaugurated Reach-1 (Baiyappanahalli-MG Road) of Namma Metro becomes clear, civil works on Reach-2 (Magadi Road-Mysore Road Terminal) has picked up pace.

 

 

Out of the 1,173 piers 1,153 have been completed and 189 piers out of 242 and 1,583 segments cast out of 2,117 are complete. Also, launching of 118 girders has been completed and over all 75 per cent of the work is completed on viaduct.

Launching of segments on girders is going on at a considerable pace between Mysore Road-Outer Ring Road junction and Nayandahalli.

The fast pace of work gives hope to the commuters, who have been faced with a double whammy-- Metro construction and the BDA’s flyover work at the same time.

BMRCL officials said that they are not leaving any stone unturned to complete the work on the Reach at the earliest and open the roads for traffic.

With the experience of implementing Reach-1, they are confident of completing the work in time. Segment launching is almost complete on Chord Road, except on a few patches near Deepanjalinagar and Magadi Road Toll Gate and the civil works are expected to be complete by next December.

Foundation work on most of the stations on the Reach is complete. Construction of concourse level and platform level pier and pier arm at Magadi Road and girder launching have been completed. Station pier and pier arm construction is in progresss at the other stations - Tollgate, Hosahalli, Vijayanagar, Deepanjali Nagar and Mysore Road station.

Revenue dips
On Reach-1, BMRCL claims that there is an increase in number of regular users of the services, even as the initial euphoria has died down. The revenue on the line has come down drastically compared to the first few days.

On November 8, 29,233 people travelled in the Metro generating Rs 4.5 lakh while the same was 24,983 and Rs 3.78 lakh, respectively on November 9 and 24,289 and Rs 3.81 lakh on November 10.

On November 11, 24,874 people travelled generating a revenue of Rs 3.63 lakh but on November 12 (Saturday) it went up to 43,000 and Rs 6.35 lakh.

Priority corridor to make ride a glide

For the first time in the city, the BMTC has proposed a ‘Priority Corridor’ for BMTC buses and other emergency service vehicles like ambulance and fire service, from Majestic to ITPL. If the idea comes through, then ITPL-bound passengers can well say goodbye to the long waits at traffic signals. The aim of the Priority Corridor, to be launched in three months on a pilot project basis, is complete corridor capacity utilization without spending huge money. It will also help cut about 30 per cent of the travel time and fuel and also encourage use of public transport. All that the BMTC is doing is integrate with the signals and operate scientifically, said Chief Traffic Manager (Operations) M. P. Prabhudas.

The BMTC would dedicate the extreme left lane of the road between Majestic and ITPL as the ‘priority corridor’ which only BMTC buses, ambulances and fire services can use. The initiative is being endorsed and supported by BBMP, BDA, DULT, traffic police and IISc. However, ensuring the corridor is free from other vehicles is a challenging task and needs solid support from public and traffic cops, he said. IISc will be extending the simulation technique and a survey is on to get public feedback and to study the traffic volume on the corridor. The BBMP and BDA have decided to upgrade the pedestrian facility and passenger information system, he added.

The priority lanes will run on a mixed corridor at some points where priority lanes cannot be maintained, he said. At most of the junctions, the priority lanes will be free of signals. Where the signals are unavoidable, buses will have to halt. The project has been initiated on this corridor because no major public transport projects like Metro were being taken up here. “During peak hours, traveling from KBS to ITPL takes about two hours.

However, once the project is initiated, the travel time will be reduced by 30 per cent. The project is aimed at attracting non-peak hour travelers too as the corridor has some major attractions like malls,shopping complexes,” said Mr Das. The priority corridor would be separated from rest of the road by erecting fibre cones and using manpower to keep the corridor free for buses. Strong enforcement of the corridor will be ensured by the BMTC.

Metro’s Phase-I unlikely to meet deadline

The underground section of Phase-I of Namma Metro is unlikely to begin its commercial operations by December 2014, the latest deadline, thanks mainly to delay in arrival of earth pressure balanced (EPB) machines.

The starting of commercial operations, which was originally scheduled for June 2012 was later revised to December 2013. However, the deadline was extended to March 2014 and finally the latest deadline is now fixed at December 2014.

Success on its first Reach (Baiyappanahalli-MG Road) notwithstanding, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) appears to be lagging behind in the construction of the underground stretch, which forms an integral part of Phase-I.

The BMRCL, in its latest newsletter, stated that it had awarded the contract of the four-km underground stretch of the North-South Corridor to Tanstonnelsboy-Coastal JV.

Arrival of machines

On the North-South Corridor, BMRCL said: “Designs are in progress. Three earth pressure balanced (EPB) machines have been ordered, of which one is from Seli, Italy and two are from Herenknecht, China. They are expected to arrive in Bangalore by mid 2012.”

EPB machines are a type of tunnel boring machines (TBM). The machines employ a mechanised tunneling method in which the soil is allowed into the TBM via a screw conveyor arrangement that allows the pressure at the face of the TBM to remain balanced without the use of slurry.

This allows tunnelling of soft, wet or unstable ground. The method will facilitate tunnelling work near Chikpet, where experts opine that the groundwater level is slightly high.

However, with the machines expected to arrive only by June or July, 2012, experts believe that the BMRCL will not be in a position to meet the deadline.

M N Sreehari, Advisor to Government of Karnataka on Transport and Infrastructure said: “It looks rather unlikely that the work will be complete anytime before mid 2015 and the delays are resulting in an estimated loss of Rs 65 lakh per day.” Another expert said that the areas near Chikpet will be particularly challenging for the Corporation.

A challenging task

“While tunnel burrowing is generally a challenging task for anybody performing it for the first time, water levels at Chikpet and other demographic hurdles will make the task much harder,” he said.

Even if the BMRCL works in full swing and in an efficient manner, the chances of meeting the deadline is quite unlikely, said Sreehari.

Jayanagar to get dedicated cycle lanes

 

If everything goes according to plan, Jayanagar will have dedicated bicycle lanes in about three months time.

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Wednesday commissioned the Rs 2.59-crore pilot project, in collaboration with the Department of Urban Land Transport (DULT). The project, which aims to cover 56 junctions-- six signalled and 50 non-signalled-- will be thrown open for the public in three months. Adequate signages will be provided to help people pedal their way along the nearly 40-km stretch of roads across Jayanagar. Even the bylanes shall come under the project’s ambit. The eco-friendly project, proposed by DULT and implemented by BBMP, is expected to be a major relief for Bangaloreans, as the City has lost its cycling space to rapid and unplanned development. In addition to creating the bicycle lanes, the contractors, who have bagged the project, will have to provide sufficient parking space for cycles and put up signages at every junction. Educational hub According to BBMP and DULT, Jayanagar has been chosen for the pilot project as it hosts nearly 100 educational institutions and a sizeable population of the elderly people. As cycles continue to be the most preferred mode of transportation among school and college students, Jayanagar was chosen for the pilot project, the sources in BBMP said. The cycle lane will extend from Kanakanapalya Road to Marenahalli Road (South End) and Kanakapura Road to Bannerghatta Road.