Monday, April 23, 2012
LRT Scores over Monorail
The Light Rail Transit (LRT) system is likely to be preferred over to Monorail for the City.
Capita Symonds - the UK-based consultancy firm for property and infrastructure solutions to which the State government has assigned the job of suggesting the best feeder rail network for the City - considers LRT more advantageous than Monorail.
The State government accepted the ‘option report’ a few weeks ago and the preparation of a detailed project report (DPR) for LRT has already begun.
The Bangalore Airport Rail Link (BARL) Ltd, the nodal agency for implementing the project, is expecting the DPR to be ready in four months.
LRT has lesser capacity and lesser speed than Metro rail system, but higher capacity and higher speed than other traditional systems like tram.
BARL Director (Projects) C Jayaram told Deccan Herald that to start with, LRT would come up in two corridors and include 40 stations. He said the two corridors will be a 31-km stretch from Bannerghatta Road to Hebbal and a nine-km stretch from Magadi Road to the proposed Peripheral Ring Road.
Jayaram said the alignment of LRT is in tune with the Comprehensive Traffic and Transportation Plan, which was finalised a few weeks ago. He said LRT intersects the Metro corridor and other mass rapid systems for better connectivity.
Jayaram said the LRT network was drawn up after a detailed analysis of the Comprehensive Development Plan 2015, traffic density and a field survey. He said soil testing had begun in JP Nagar and it would be done at around 40 points along the stretch of the said corridors.
Sources in the Infrastructure Development Department (IDD) said that the ‘option report’ had analysed 21 aspects regarding operation and maintenance of LRT and Monorail. A senior official in IDD said it was found that in 18 aspects, LRT was more advantageous. He said LRT can negotiate high gradients (upto 11 percent), a major issue in building rail networks in the core city.
LRT vs Monorail
* Compatibility with other Bangalore Rail systems
LRT: Other Bangalore urban rail schemes are conventional two rail systems
Monorail: Bangalore does not have any monorail system at present
* Depot flexibility
LRT: Easier to construct and costs less
Monorail: Higher construction cost than LRT
* Future flexibility-
LRT: Very flexible since the rail transport system is independent from viaduct structure
Monorail: Very inflexible as the rail system is specific to structural beams.
* Means of escape from failed train or during fire
LRT: Passengers can egress from all doors onto safe solid surface.
Monorail: Passengers must be rescued by demounting into adjacent trains or using access platforms from roads below.
Capita Symonds - the UK-based consultancy firm for property and infrastructure solutions to which the State government has assigned the job of suggesting the best feeder rail network for the City - considers LRT more advantageous than Monorail.
The State government accepted the ‘option report’ a few weeks ago and the preparation of a detailed project report (DPR) for LRT has already begun.
The Bangalore Airport Rail Link (BARL) Ltd, the nodal agency for implementing the project, is expecting the DPR to be ready in four months.
LRT has lesser capacity and lesser speed than Metro rail system, but higher capacity and higher speed than other traditional systems like tram.
BARL Director (Projects) C Jayaram told Deccan Herald that to start with, LRT would come up in two corridors and include 40 stations. He said the two corridors will be a 31-km stretch from Bannerghatta Road to Hebbal and a nine-km stretch from Magadi Road to the proposed Peripheral Ring Road.
Jayaram said the alignment of LRT is in tune with the Comprehensive Traffic and Transportation Plan, which was finalised a few weeks ago. He said LRT intersects the Metro corridor and other mass rapid systems for better connectivity.
Jayaram said the LRT network was drawn up after a detailed analysis of the Comprehensive Development Plan 2015, traffic density and a field survey. He said soil testing had begun in JP Nagar and it would be done at around 40 points along the stretch of the said corridors.
Sources in the Infrastructure Development Department (IDD) said that the ‘option report’ had analysed 21 aspects regarding operation and maintenance of LRT and Monorail. A senior official in IDD said it was found that in 18 aspects, LRT was more advantageous. He said LRT can negotiate high gradients (upto 11 percent), a major issue in building rail networks in the core city.
LRT vs Monorail
* Compatibility with other Bangalore Rail systems
LRT: Other Bangalore urban rail schemes are conventional two rail systems
Monorail: Bangalore does not have any monorail system at present
* Depot flexibility
LRT: Easier to construct and costs less
Monorail: Higher construction cost than LRT
* Future flexibility-
LRT: Very flexible since the rail transport system is independent from viaduct structure
Monorail: Very inflexible as the rail system is specific to structural beams.
* Means of escape from failed train or during fire
LRT: Passengers can egress from all doors onto safe solid surface.
Monorail: Passengers must be rescued by demounting into adjacent trains or using access platforms from roads below.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Prof. CNR Rao circle underpass update
Malleswaram 18th cross side
Towards the Yeshwanthpur side
Towards the Mekhri circle
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
BBMP to widen road opposite Infant Jesus shrine
Pilgrims and locals frequently complain about the traffic congestion on the narrow Bazaar Street in Austin Town
At last,the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has decided to give some sort of relief to the pilgrims who regularly visit Infant Jesus shrine at Viveknagar.
At last,the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has decided to give some sort of relief to the pilgrims who regularly visit Infant Jesus shrine at Viveknagar.
People are having a tough time travelling on Bazaar Street from Ejipura Main Road to Infant Jesus church in Austin Town because of the narrow road.The BBMP has decided to widen the bridge (drain) on Bazaar Street,which is just 20 metres away from the church,and the road opposite the church.It will also construct bus bays on the drain.
On Tuesday,BBMP commissioner M K Shankarlingegowda inspected the street along with the local MLA.They decided to widen the drain by 20 feet to allow easy movement of buses and other vehicles.They also decided to widen the road opposite the Infant Jesus shrine.
Local corporator Vijayan said,There were a lot of complaints.I have been pursuing this matter with the BBMP for the past two years.The road widening project will uplift the image of the area.Rs 3.60 crore is the estimate for the project.The amount will be included in the BBMPs budget for the year 2012-13.Once all the technical issues are solved,the work will be executed.It has also been decided to widen the road opposite the shrine by seven feet on either side.
Shantinagar MLA N A Harris said,On normal days,a BMTC bus cannot pass the drain easily during peak hours because of traffic congestion.We have decided to widen the bridge by 20 feet.There is also a proposal to construct a bus bay on the drain to ease the traffic situation.
Joint commissioner (east) K C Shivashankar said,The commissioner has asked us to come out with a proposal to widen the road.Already directions have been given to the road widening division to create a plan so that appropriate approval can be given to the project.
The road outside Infant Jesus church
Mono Phase-1 to connect Kanakapura Road to Indiranagar
Alignment finalized, Monorail comes close to reality
First phase to connect Jaraganahalli along Kanakapura Road to Cantonment
The State government has finalized the alignment for the City’s first monorail corridor.
The
corridor between Jaraganahalli along Kanakapura Road and Cantonment,
which is part of the first phase of the Monorail project, will soon be
implemented with the authorities undertaking soil testing along the
project route.
Sources in the Infrastructure Development department told that the corridor, which extends up to around 19 km, would connect JP Nagar, Koramangala, Ejipura, Domlur and Indiranagar. A source said soil testing was already in progress in Jaraganahalli and JP Nagar, which fall in the corridor line.
An official from the Infrastructure Development department said the idea behind taking up the above corridor was to provide better connectivity between South and East Bangalore through the Monorail. The corridor would also act as feeder to the Metro rail network at both the ends.
A senior official with the Infrastructure Development department, on condition of anonymity, said the route alignment had been approved by the State government tentatively. Once the soil testing is done, technical and physical feasibility studies would be undertaken, before calling for design tenders for the project.
It can be noted here that the alignment of the Monorail corridors was a matter of debate in the government with experts and private stakeholders expressing concern over the proposed alignment.
When the Monorail project was announced by the then chief minister, B S Yeddyurappa, it was said the 16-km long line connecting Majestic to Agara Lake would be constructed first.
Then there was talk of taking up Hudson Circle to ITPL and Hudson Circle to Electronics City (together about 40 km) corridor.
In June 2011, to ease traffic congestion in core areas of the City, the State government approved the detailed project report for the 60-km monorail network.
The detailed project report was prepared by Scomi Geodesic Consortium, which later tied up with ITNL Enso Rail System Ltd (IERS), a subsidiary of IL&FS Transportation Network Limited (ITNL), as its financial partner for the project.
The project would be implemented on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis under the Swiss Challenge Procurement process. A special purpose vehicle has also been launched for this purpose.
Other proposed corridors
* Hebbal to JP Nagar - 34 km
* Peripheral Ring Road to toll gate along Magadi Road -
9 km
*Kathriguppe Road to National College - 5 km
* Hosur Road to Bannerghatta - 15 km
The
corridor between Jaraganahalli along Kanakapura Road and Cantonment,
which is part of the first phase of the Monorail project, will soon be
implemented with the authorities undertaking soil testing along the
project route.Sources in the Infrastructure Development department told that the corridor, which extends up to around 19 km, would connect JP Nagar, Koramangala, Ejipura, Domlur and Indiranagar. A source said soil testing was already in progress in Jaraganahalli and JP Nagar, which fall in the corridor line.
An official from the Infrastructure Development department said the idea behind taking up the above corridor was to provide better connectivity between South and East Bangalore through the Monorail. The corridor would also act as feeder to the Metro rail network at both the ends.
A senior official with the Infrastructure Development department, on condition of anonymity, said the route alignment had been approved by the State government tentatively. Once the soil testing is done, technical and physical feasibility studies would be undertaken, before calling for design tenders for the project.
It can be noted here that the alignment of the Monorail corridors was a matter of debate in the government with experts and private stakeholders expressing concern over the proposed alignment.
When the Monorail project was announced by the then chief minister, B S Yeddyurappa, it was said the 16-km long line connecting Majestic to Agara Lake would be constructed first.
Then there was talk of taking up Hudson Circle to ITPL and Hudson Circle to Electronics City (together about 40 km) corridor.
In June 2011, to ease traffic congestion in core areas of the City, the State government approved the detailed project report for the 60-km monorail network.
The detailed project report was prepared by Scomi Geodesic Consortium, which later tied up with ITNL Enso Rail System Ltd (IERS), a subsidiary of IL&FS Transportation Network Limited (ITNL), as its financial partner for the project.
The project would be implemented on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis under the Swiss Challenge Procurement process. A special purpose vehicle has also been launched for this purpose.
Other proposed corridors
* Hebbal to JP Nagar - 34 km
* Peripheral Ring Road to toll gate along Magadi Road -
9 km
*Kathriguppe Road to National College - 5 km
* Hosur Road to Bannerghatta - 15 km
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Sadananda Gowda promises congestion-free B’lore
As promised by chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda last week, he dedicated two hours for two days to take stock of the developmental activities in the city. On Saturday, Gowda inaugurated two grade separators and an underpass in the city.
The grade separators built at Veerannanapalya junction and Kalyan Nagar junction on Outer Ring Road are now thrown open to motorists.
Likewise, the long-delayed underpass at Tagore Circle was also dedicated for public use.
Veerannanapalya Junction grade separator was built at a cost of `36 crore while grade separator at Kalyannagar was built at a cost of `37 crore. Both projects commenced on November 9 last year. Tagore Circle underpass work, which began on October 25, 2009, is finally complete after much hue and cry at a cost of `2,586 lakh.
Gowda said that in the next two years, he would aim to create a traffic-free city. "We are building 26 flyovers in the city. Among these, 11 flyovers are under construction; eight flyovers are complete and another seven flyovers are under tender process. We are committed to the development of Bangalore," he said.
He further added that his government would take up the Outer Peripheral Road project connecting Tumkur Road and Hosur Road.
He claimed that he had decided to visit the city to monitor the developmental projects to bring about transparency in the system. Home minister R Ashoka, MP Ananth Kumar, MLAs Hemachandra Sagar and Dr Ashwathnarayan was present.
Travel time on Hebbal Ring Rd cut
2 New Flyovers Do Away With Waiting At The Signals
Theres some relief from the tedious drive and heavy traffic on Hebbal ring road from Hebbal flyover to K R Puram via Kalyan Nagar with two new grade separators open to commuters.They can avoid major signals and waiting time when heading towards K R Puram or from K R Puram towards the Hebbal flyover.
On Saturday afternoon,chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda inaugurated the grade separators on Hebbal Ring Road.One was opened opposite Lumbini Garden and the other at Kalyan Nagar junction.The key benefit of the two separators is reducing time of travel what would take commuters at least 25 minutes will now take 15 minutes as waiting at the two junctions is avoided.
Now,just after Lumbini Garden,people don't need to wait at the signal junction,which has Jakkur and Amruthahalli to the left,R T Nagar to the right and K R Puram straight ahead nor even at Kalyan Nagar junction,which has Banaswadi to the right,Ramamurthynagar to the left and K R Puram straight ahead.The projects benefit people moving from Hebbal flyover towards K R Puram and vice-versa and all residents around Lumbini Garden,Kalyan Nagar,Banaswadi,Ramamurthynagar and Kasturinagar.Travel has eased both on top of the flyovers as well as under them as traffic that moves on top will no longer add to the traffic below at signals near Lumbini Garden and Kalyan Nagar.
The flyover at Lumbini Garden is 670m long and cost Rs 32.28 crore,while the flyover at Kalyan Nagar is 550 m long and cost Rs 38.65 crore.The two now form a major part of infrastructure development and upgrade in the Hebbal-K R Puram corridor of North Bangalore.Residents living below the flyovers will heave a sigh of relief as they no longer need to experience clogging of traffic here.Just wading through scores of trucks,cars and autos every day would be gut wrenching,what with the heat,sweat,dust and pollution.
COMMUTERS DELIGHT: Grade separators on Hebbal Ring Road will provide a smooth ride
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
MYSORE ROAD ENVIRONS ON GROWTH PATH
Connectivity and availability of land make this region potential for investors
The realty development towards Mysore has grown much beyond the ambit of the Outer Ring Road (ORR) at Nayandahalli. This sector has always remained on the radar of property investors,owing to its proximity to Mysore and hill stations such as Coorg,Ooty and Wayanad beyond.The development along this corridor had been purely residential till recently.However,owing to the widespread residential growth,retail and office spaces are emerging in this segment of the city too.
The four lane State highway to Mysore opened up vistas for development in this region.The construction of the NICE corridor too has given a shot in the arm for development.With the Metro Rail work now under progress on this road,investors can look at reaping good returns on their investments along this route.
The Metro Rail's Phase II has a proposal to extend the network up to Kengeri.This will give a major thrust to development in the region,and may even result in the mushrooming of satellite townships.
Another development which will result in major plans in residential layouts is the move to lift the freeze on farmlands for development of satellite townships.The Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) had in 2006 taken steps for the development of integrated townships in Bidadi,Ramanagar,Solur,Sathanur and Nandagudi.These townships,they felt,would provide for complete workhome relationship and focused economic activity.Sathanur,near Magadi Road,and the industrial estates in Ramanagar and Harohalli on Kanakapura Road,now stand to benefit from this move.
Residential catchments
There are major industries functioning out of this region.These include automobile giants and IT majors.In order to facilitate the workforce to stay close to workplaces and also have a thriving social environment,the residential development is replete with facilities such as schools,hospitals,malls,multiplexes and is available in the form of layouts and apartments.
Rajarajeshwarinagar is one such layout which has seen widespread development and is now a micro market with most amenities in the vicinity,making it very self-sufficient.The road connecting Kengeri to Kanakapura and passing through Uttarahalli is now beyond recognition as the landscape has changed from that of a rustic one to a very urban form.
Gottigere is a locality to watch out for,given that under Metro Rail's Phase II there are plans to draw up an additional line from here all the way to Nagawara.
Between the State Highway 17 to Mysore and the NICE corridor there are many layouts to look out for.Apartments have come up in the Uttarahalli sector and with colleges and hospitals nearby,along with good connectivity,this region is fast-emerging as a preferred place to stay.The easy connectivity up to Kanakapura Road is another factor for the rapid development.Kanakapura Road is a bustling region with the Metro connectivity and industrial growth.
BEML Layout,Subramanyapura,and Banashankari V and VI stages are the areas to look out for which come on the left side of Mysore Road,as you drive towards Mysore.The areas on the right of the State Highway 17 too are equally well-developed.
QUICK BYTES
- THE AREA AROUND MYSORE ROAD IS A HOT SPOT FOR REALTY DEVELOPMENT OWING TO GOOD CONNECTIVITY AND AVAILABILITY OF LAND PARCELS
- MANY LOCALITIES ALONG THE MYSORE ROAD HAVE BECOME SELF SUFFICIENT AND BOAST OF AMENITIES AND GOOD SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
- THE PROXIMITY OF MYSORE ROAD TO KANAKAPURA ROAD IS ALSO PUSHING REALTY DEVELOPMENT IN ITS VICINITY
- INDUSTRIAL GROWTH UPTO RAMANAGAR IS ALSO A FACTOR LEADING TO RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
Metro work in progress at Nayandahalli junction near Rajarajeshwarinagar
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
The only work so far is digging at 4 places
Did the BBMP really need to inconvenience so many people for doing so little,ask fuming commuters who have been forced to take a detour ever since Mysore Road flyover was partially closed on March 30
Regular users of the Mysore Road Flyover have been using a rather circuitous route through Chamrajpet in the belief that work on the partially-closed flyover is going on at a frenetic pace.But,heres the truth: A reality check shows that other than the flyover being dug up in four places,nothing has been done.
This flyover is the lifeline of western Bangalore,but the way they are doing the work indicates that Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is not serious about the citys infrastructure.After having closed down the flyover partially for 12 days,all theyve done is just dig up the road, said an indignant Dr Vinod Kumar,a resident of Vijaynagar who would use this flyover every day.
Looks like once again BBMP gets full marks for callousness when it comes to civil works in a city already overburdened with infrastructure issues.Built in 1997,the flyover connects Silver Jubilee Park Road to Mysore Road via Sirsi Circle.The repairs were needed because during rains,commuters below the 2.8-km stretch are drenched with the rainwater seeping through the joints.The work is expected to cost Rs 4.5 crore.
OFFICIAL VERSION VS REALITY
BBMP engineer on duty,P S Thakur,said: We are repairing expansion joints and it will take another three months.
But thats not what it seems like.While partially closing the flyover on March 30,BBMP announced that it would need three months to complete the work.They decided to first close the link between Town Hall junction and Mysore Road and complete the work in 15 days.After that,they planned to close another link partially and complete that work in the next 15 days.This way,they wanted to complete the entire stretch in three months.
But of the first 15 days,more than 10 days are over and BBMP has not made much headway due to technical issues.They are trying to find a solution and sort out issues after digging the road when all this should have been done before the work started, a regular user of the flyover said.
LEARN FROM BRO
BBMP should learn a lesson or two from Border Roads Organisation (BRO),a wing of the Indian Army,Venkatesh Murthy,a flower trader at K R Market suggested.
BRO personnel work like machines and lay roads in border areas in no time to facilitate military movement.They clear landslides in hours.They work with dedication and a clear plan.BBMP and other urban bodies which are facing infrastructure problems need to replicate BRO in cities, Murthy said.
Explaining the delay,engineer-inchief B T Ramesh said,The problem occurred while removing the expansion joints.To lay the new joints,we need to chip them off at the edges which may damage the entire flyover.A group of engineers from Sanfield,Sundaram Consultants and Civil Aid will be meeting along with BBMP engineers to decide the next course of action.The work has been stopped for the past two days and we may decide to go ahead with the finger-type expansion in place of modular joints.
So,why did they not forsee this problem before closing the flyover Well,thats how BBMP works.
Regular users of the Mysore Road Flyover have been using a rather circuitous route through Chamrajpet in the belief that work on the partially-closed flyover is going on at a frenetic pace.But,heres the truth: A reality check shows that other than the flyover being dug up in four places,nothing has been done.
This flyover is the lifeline of western Bangalore,but the way they are doing the work indicates that Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is not serious about the citys infrastructure.After having closed down the flyover partially for 12 days,all theyve done is just dig up the road, said an indignant Dr Vinod Kumar,a resident of Vijaynagar who would use this flyover every day.
Looks like once again BBMP gets full marks for callousness when it comes to civil works in a city already overburdened with infrastructure issues.Built in 1997,the flyover connects Silver Jubilee Park Road to Mysore Road via Sirsi Circle.The repairs were needed because during rains,commuters below the 2.8-km stretch are drenched with the rainwater seeping through the joints.The work is expected to cost Rs 4.5 crore.
OFFICIAL VERSION VS REALITY
BBMP engineer on duty,P S Thakur,said: We are repairing expansion joints and it will take another three months.
But thats not what it seems like.While partially closing the flyover on March 30,BBMP announced that it would need three months to complete the work.They decided to first close the link between Town Hall junction and Mysore Road and complete the work in 15 days.After that,they planned to close another link partially and complete that work in the next 15 days.This way,they wanted to complete the entire stretch in three months.
But of the first 15 days,more than 10 days are over and BBMP has not made much headway due to technical issues.They are trying to find a solution and sort out issues after digging the road when all this should have been done before the work started, a regular user of the flyover said.
LEARN FROM BRO
BBMP should learn a lesson or two from Border Roads Organisation (BRO),a wing of the Indian Army,Venkatesh Murthy,a flower trader at K R Market suggested.
BRO personnel work like machines and lay roads in border areas in no time to facilitate military movement.They clear landslides in hours.They work with dedication and a clear plan.BBMP and other urban bodies which are facing infrastructure problems need to replicate BRO in cities, Murthy said.
Explaining the delay,engineer-inchief B T Ramesh said,The problem occurred while removing the expansion joints.To lay the new joints,we need to chip them off at the edges which may damage the entire flyover.A group of engineers from Sanfield,Sundaram Consultants and Civil Aid will be meeting along with BBMP engineers to decide the next course of action.The work has been stopped for the past two days and we may decide to go ahead with the finger-type expansion in place of modular joints.
So,why did they not forsee this problem before closing the flyover Well,thats how BBMP works.
When it comes to laying roads,BBMP should learn a lesson or two from Border Roads Organisation,says a flower vendor from K R Market
Traffic from the Mysore Road flyover is now diverted to Chamrajpet
The problem occurred while removing the expansion joints,says engineer-in-chief B T Ramesh.To lay the new joints,we need to chip them off at the edges which may damage the entire flyover
Monday, April 9, 2012
Tagore Circle underpass awaiting final touches
When the BBMP proposed to build an underpass at the Tagore Circle,a furore followed.The residents near the junction could not understand why the Palike was looking to build a traffic solution when there was no congestion problem to begin with,besides cutting down the legacy of Basavangudi.Yet,the Palike went ahead (since they did not want to lose the 20 crore that was earmarked for the project by the Central government under the JNNURM) and began the project in October 2009.
The original deadline was set for 10 months since the date of completion and like all other projects before it,the underpass also saw several delays.Finally,the road is all set to open to the public in a couple of weeks.The BBMP says that the finishing touches are being given to it and not much work is left.So we took a test drive on this much debated project and this is what we found.
It is expected to free traffic flow from the Central Business District to south Bangalore,moving towards K R Road and vice versa The project still has a long way before it can hit the completion button.The most amount of work is still to be completed on the ramps that will divert traffic towards Gandhi Bazaar and Krishna Rao Park.It is still a bone crushing ride.Basic amenities like street lights need to be put in place.If you decide to be adventurous in the dark with the ramps in their current condition,be sure to renew your insurance.The main box of the underpass still needs to be asphalted and the walls need attention too.But the most neglected aspect of the project still remains the pedestrians because the footpaths are yet to make an appearance.
THE SPECIFICATIONS
- Carriageway - four lane
- Side ramps - 4
- Footpaths - 4
- Total length - 578.39 m
- Lenght of underpass box - 80 m
- Width of underpass - 34 m
- Total cost - 24 crore Estimated Personal Car Units - 4452
The underpass is all set to open to the public in a couple of weeks
Metro section to go underground soon
Tunnelling of Namma Metro’s North-South underground corridor may
begin in June. The first Tunnel Earth Pressure Balance Boring Machine
for the North-South UG corridor has arrived at the Chennai Port from
Nansha in China. After clearance, the equipment is likely to arrive in
Bengaluru in the second week of April. While tunnelling in the UG
East-West section, which stretches for 4.8 km, is progressing well,
tunnelling work along the North- South UG section will begin shortly.
Tunnelling at the UG East-West section had commenced from the
Majestic end towards East and the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) 1, Helen
and TBM 2, Margarita, have reached Sir M. Visveswaraya Station.
Preparation to launch the machines on the East end of the stations is
going on. Meanwhile excavation of the launching shaft in Cubbon Road to
launch the 3rd TBM is complete.
“In the North- South UG section which stretches for 4 km, the
contract for tunnels and two stations with ramps was awarded to
TTS-Coastal JV in May 2011. Designs are in progress. Three Earth
Pressure Balanced Machines have been ordered; one from Seli, China and
two from Herenknecht, China. While two are expected to be operational by
June, the third will be operational by October. Works at both South and
North Ramps have commenced. At Chickpet, preliminary works of
barricading and shifting of uncharted utilities are in progress. At the
City Market, secant piling work has started,” said a senior Bangalore
Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) official.
Underground Majestic Station (interchange station) work in progress:
Contract had been awarded to M/s GYT—Coastal (JV) for the construction
of this interchange station (3 level station) in December 2011.
Work on two-level BDA flyover on Mysore Road crawls
The two-level BDA flyover at the junction of Mysore Road and Outer Ring
Road (ORR) near Nayandahalli, which was to be ready by March this year,
is yet to reach the half-way mark, a delay of the kind that has become
synonymous with infrastructure projects in the city.
BDA has now promised to complete the flyover by December 2012.
Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, who inspected the project on Tuesday, directed the BDA to complete at least one section of the flyover, that links the ORR, by this month-end.
While the BDA is hopeful of completing the ramp for traffic from Magadi Road towards Banashankari by this month-end, the ramp for traffic from the opposite direction is likely to be completed by May-end.
Officials of the agencies linked to the project said that the BDA had no reason to drag on the project for three years.
A major hurdle, non-availability of land for service roads on ORR towards Banashankari, was cleared when the BDA recovered five acres and 27 guntas of land in Pantharapalya after demolishing several unauthorised buildings.
As of now, construction of the flyover arm for traffic from Magadi Road towards Banashankari on the ORR is progressing even as the construction of the other arm is yet to begin.
Similarly, only the pillars have come up for the ramps linking Mysore Road. Officials wondered what has been preventing the agency from expediting the work since pre-fabricated segment technology is being used.
BDA took up the construction work despite the plea by the traffic police to postpone it till Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) completed construction of the viaduct for Namma Metro. BMRCL has been working on the viaduct since the second half of 2010, which again is seeing slow progress.
PEOPLE AFFECTED
As in every infrastructure project, road users are the victims. M.A. Niranjan, a resident of Nagarabhavi who works in a private firm near Banashankari, said, “It has been a double blow for us for nearly two years and we do not know when the BDA and BMRCL will complete the work. Till then, two-wheeler users like me are forced to inhale dust for at least five minutes at the Nayandahalli Junction.”
It is not just road users who are put to hardship. The traffic police manning the junction are the most affected as they have to inhale dust at least eight hours a day. “With many traffic constables getting respiratory problems, not many are willing to work at this junction. A traffic police inspector, who was badly affected, has gone on long leave,” said a constable manning the junction.
Sources in the construction industry suspected that the delay may be part of BDA's hidden agenda to allow cost escalation for questionable reasons. The project was estimated at Rs. 72 crore and was awarded for Rs. 87 crore.
BDA Commissioner Bharat Lal Meena told that the ongoing Namma Metro work and litigation over land were the reasons for the delay. He dismissed suggestions that there were attempts to escalate the cost and said that the tender was awarded to the lowest bidder. The flyover will be completed by this December, he said.
BDA has now promised to complete the flyover by December 2012.
Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, who inspected the project on Tuesday, directed the BDA to complete at least one section of the flyover, that links the ORR, by this month-end.
While the BDA is hopeful of completing the ramp for traffic from Magadi Road towards Banashankari by this month-end, the ramp for traffic from the opposite direction is likely to be completed by May-end.
Officials of the agencies linked to the project said that the BDA had no reason to drag on the project for three years.
A major hurdle, non-availability of land for service roads on ORR towards Banashankari, was cleared when the BDA recovered five acres and 27 guntas of land in Pantharapalya after demolishing several unauthorised buildings.
As of now, construction of the flyover arm for traffic from Magadi Road towards Banashankari on the ORR is progressing even as the construction of the other arm is yet to begin.
Similarly, only the pillars have come up for the ramps linking Mysore Road. Officials wondered what has been preventing the agency from expediting the work since pre-fabricated segment technology is being used.
BDA took up the construction work despite the plea by the traffic police to postpone it till Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) completed construction of the viaduct for Namma Metro. BMRCL has been working on the viaduct since the second half of 2010, which again is seeing slow progress.
PEOPLE AFFECTED
As in every infrastructure project, road users are the victims. M.A. Niranjan, a resident of Nagarabhavi who works in a private firm near Banashankari, said, “It has been a double blow for us for nearly two years and we do not know when the BDA and BMRCL will complete the work. Till then, two-wheeler users like me are forced to inhale dust for at least five minutes at the Nayandahalli Junction.”
It is not just road users who are put to hardship. The traffic police manning the junction are the most affected as they have to inhale dust at least eight hours a day. “With many traffic constables getting respiratory problems, not many are willing to work at this junction. A traffic police inspector, who was badly affected, has gone on long leave,” said a constable manning the junction.
Sources in the construction industry suspected that the delay may be part of BDA's hidden agenda to allow cost escalation for questionable reasons. The project was estimated at Rs. 72 crore and was awarded for Rs. 87 crore.
BDA Commissioner Bharat Lal Meena told that the ongoing Namma Metro work and litigation over land were the reasons for the delay. He dismissed suggestions that there were attempts to escalate the cost and said that the tender was awarded to the lowest bidder. The flyover will be completed by this December, he said.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
BBMP wants land to build ROBs and RUBs
Will end the practice of people and vehicles crossing tracks at 28 locations
BBMP and the railways will finally begin work on a number of railway under bridges (RUB) and railway over bridges (ROB).As it is the duty of BBMP to hand over the land to railways to take up the work,the civic body will offer transfer of development rights (TDR) to those people whose property will be acquired.
Said town planning and development standing committee chairman C K Ramaurthy,We wont put pressure on land-owners.We will be giving an option of TDR.If no one is interested,we have to compensate them and acquire the land.
BBMP and the railways will finally begin work on a number of railway under bridges (RUB) and railway over bridges (ROB).As it is the duty of BBMP to hand over the land to railways to take up the work,the civic body will offer transfer of development rights (TDR) to those people whose property will be acquired.
Said town planning and development standing committee chairman C K Ramaurthy,We wont put pressure on land-owners.We will be giving an option of TDR.If no one is interested,we have to compensate them and acquire the land.
An official said,We will be issuing a gazette notification for acquiring land.If no one comes forward to take the TDR option,according to section 23 of the Land Acquisition Act,1894,they will be compensated according to the governments approved guidance value.
Ramamurthy said,As construction of ROBs and RUBs have to be time bound,we have decided that the commissioner will decide the priority of the projects and take up the compensation matter.A special amount will be earmarked in the budget for the compensation.This project is necessary as the number of vehicles in the city has gone up in recent years.At railway level crossings,there is a huge traffic jam.Hence,we have decided to execute the project in 28 such locations.We will acquire the land and hand it over to the railways who will execute the project.
SAFE CROSSING
- ROB at KR Puram (near FCI Godown) 4396 sq ft
- RUB near Allalasandra 1716.61 sq ft
- ROB at Jakkur 2990.00 sq ft
- ROB at Hoodi gate 4455.00 39 sq ft
- RUB at Dubasipalya 5300.00 sq ft
- Pedestrain subway near ITC factory on Wheelers Road 300.00 sq ft
- RUB at crossing near Kodigehalli 7155.64 sq ft
- ROB on Sarjapur Road between Heelalige and Carmelaram stations 272.00 sq ft
- RUB at junction of Devasandra main road and Whitefield main road 2966.03 sq ft
- RUB at Lingarajapuram railway crossing 272.00 sq ft
- RUB near Kengeri railway station 75.00 sq ft
- RUB near Yelahanka Old Town (MES Circle) 1659.91 sq ft
- RUB at Kadugondanahalli 5132.25 sq ft
- RUB at Narasimhaih Compound (Goriplaya) 3849.78 sq ft
- RUB near SPL RK Hegdenagar 3800.93 sq ft
- ROB at Carmelaram 4834.36 sq ft
- ROB at Chinnappanahalli 4925.57 40 sq ft
- RUB at Munekolal Main Road 5563.56 sq ft
- RUB at Doddakannahalli Kodthi Colony Gate on Mallur Road 6075.78 sq ft
- RUB at Kaggadasapura DRDO complex 9031.48 sq ft
- RUB at Agara Gate 5133.37 sq ft RUB near Horamavu village 4670.75 sq ft
- RUB near Nirmala Rani School (Milk Colony) 2704.90 sq ft
- RUB at Nagenahalli 4757.28 sq ft
- RUB near Binny Mill Tank Bund Road 1207.38 sq ft
- RUB at 18th Cross,Kanakanagara 6408.71 sq ft
- ROB near Brigade Gateway apartments (Mysore Lamps) 2812.23 sq ft
- RUB at Bapujinagar 2253.105 sq ft
Friday, April 6, 2012
Demand for new road to decongest Sampige Road
Malleswaram residents submit a traffic plan to Bangalore Traffic Police
The Malleswaram Residents' Association has urged the
civic authorities to construct a new 100-ft road linking Subedar Chatram
Road and Okalipuram-Sriramapuram Road on the Jakkarayanakere land to
ease traffic congestion on Sampige Road.
The road
connecting the junction of Seshadripuram 1st Main and Subedar Chatram
Road is named S.K. Venkataranga Iyengar Road. But old habits die hard
and people still call it Subedar Chatram Road.
Submitting
a traffic plan with a map to the Bangalore Traffic Police here on
Thursday, the association said the life of over 25 lakh residents of
north Bangalore has been affected after the construction of Mantri
Square on Sampige Road. In what was once a quiet residential area,
massive traffic jams are an everyday occurrence after one of the biggest
malls in the city, Mantri Square, opened.
Road encroached
The
proposed road will pass through Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike
(BBMP) land and will connect the existing City Railway and Central Bus
Stand Road to the West of the Tumkur Railway line. This road, the
association alleged, has been encroached upon by the Mantris and the
Survey of India has confirmed the encroachment.
The
proposal recommends an underpass below the railway line for further
access to Okalipuram-Sriramapuram Road, association president B.R. Gopal
Rao said. He added that the proposed road will not be very expensive
for the BBMP as it is through its own property.
After
construction of the road, the traffic police should streamline vehicle
movement to ease the congestion on Sampige Road. All entries and exits
of Mantri Square facing Sampige Road should be closed and should be
shifted to face the new road. The new road should have safe and
signalled pedestrian crossings for visitors to Mantri Square.
The
new road would be of much help for vehicles from Vasanthnagar,
Shivajinagar and Majestic towards Rajajinagar, Malleswaram, Mathikere
and surrounding areas. People need not take Sampige Road but can go on
the Railway Parallel Road (West). BMTC bus stops in front of the Nataraj
theatre should be shifted in front of Hotel Swathi for Majestic-bound
buses and in front of BBMP (West) Office on Sampige Road for buses
headed towards northern parts of Bangalore.
Other agencies
Mr. Rao told the
association has submitted similar plans to BBMP and other agencies
concerned and was hopeful of them acting in unison towards alleviating
road users' and residents' woes. Additional Commissioner of Police
(Traffic), M. Abdulla Saleem, who received the plan, said the proposal
requires deliberations with the BBMP and other agencies. A suitable
decision would be arrived at thereafter, he said.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Sunday, April 1, 2012
HC clears decks for signal-free corridor
The High Court of Karnataka on Wednesday cleared the decks for resuming construction of underpasses and flyovers on the proposed 8.5-km signal-free corridor from Sirsi Circle to Agara Lake via Lalbagh Fort Road.
With the HC lifting the stay it had granted on February 27, the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) can now continue the construction of four underpasses and a flyover at four junctions — Sarjapur Road to Madivala Road, St John’s Hospital Road to Koramangala 100 Feet Road, Koramangala 80 Feet Road, and Jakkasandra — located along the corridor.
A Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Vikramjit Sen and Justice B V Nagarathna, issued the orders on Wednesday on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Citizens’ Action Forum.
The petitioners had contended that the feasibility study for the proposed corridor was not completed even five months after tenders were floated. A technical committee of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) decided on December 12, 2009 to convert 12 high-traffic density corridors into signal-free stretches. The BBMP had handed over the project to the BDA because of fund crunch.
The petitioners also argued that at least 88 trees, many of them old rain trees with green canopies, would be chopped off to make way for the corridor. Neither was any scientific study carried out before taking up construction nor were any notices served to the local residents, they alleged. Besides, no objections were sought from the residents, causing them great hardships.
The court had stayed the construction, observing that no contract was awarded to any firm. The BDA, however, informed the court on Wednesday that NCC Limited has been awarded the contract. The BDA counsel also submitted that the construction of the underpasses and the flyover was started with interests of the public in mind.
With the HC lifting the stay it had granted on February 27, the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) can now continue the construction of four underpasses and a flyover at four junctions — Sarjapur Road to Madivala Road, St John’s Hospital Road to Koramangala 100 Feet Road, Koramangala 80 Feet Road, and Jakkasandra — located along the corridor.
A Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Vikramjit Sen and Justice B V Nagarathna, issued the orders on Wednesday on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Citizens’ Action Forum.
The petitioners had contended that the feasibility study for the proposed corridor was not completed even five months after tenders were floated. A technical committee of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) decided on December 12, 2009 to convert 12 high-traffic density corridors into signal-free stretches. The BBMP had handed over the project to the BDA because of fund crunch.
The petitioners also argued that at least 88 trees, many of them old rain trees with green canopies, would be chopped off to make way for the corridor. Neither was any scientific study carried out before taking up construction nor were any notices served to the local residents, they alleged. Besides, no objections were sought from the residents, causing them great hardships.
The court had stayed the construction, observing that no contract was awarded to any firm. The BDA, however, informed the court on Wednesday that NCC Limited has been awarded the contract. The BDA counsel also submitted that the construction of the underpasses and the flyover was started with interests of the public in mind.
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