Bangalore looks at BRT, local trains to ease congestion

Bangalore’s planners are looking at low-cost public transport to solve the city’s traffic problems

Despite being the first city outside New Delhi to launch a modern metro rail service in the country, Bangalore’s planners are increasingly looking at low-cost public transport to solve the city’s burgeoning traffic problems.

The state’s Urban Land Transport Authority (ULTA) has been busy the last one month finalizing two draft reports to help decongest the city. The first is a bus rapid transport (BRT) system along the city’s Outer Ring Road that links two of the city’s information technology (IT) corridors; the second is a commuter railway system that would link the city’s suburbs with neighbouring towns and cities.

These efforts highlight attempts to ease congestion in one of India’s fastest growing cities as the vehicular population grows at an unprecedented pace.

Data from the regional transport office in Bangalore show the vehicle population in Bangalore has increased from 2.6 million in 2006 to 3.8 million in 2011, an increase of 46% in five years. According to the city’s comprehensive traffic and transportation plan (CTTP), the average Bangalorean is spending 240 hours stuck in traffic every year.

The ULTA held a meeting in mid-July to discuss the draft report submitted by RITES for a suburban rail service. According to the report, reviewed by Mint, RITES has proposed setting up four routes totalling 161km connecting towns on the outskirts of Bangalore to the city. This could cut short commute time for people living along the routes by up to 90 minutes.

Sudhanshu Mani, divisional railway manager of South Western Railway’s Bangalore division, said at the meeting that operations can start within a year once the project gets final approval from the state government and the railways, The Hindu newspaper reported on 14 July.

“We have already written to the Union government before the railway budget this year to begin the services next year,” urban development minister S. Suresh Kumar said. “Bangalore is in dire need for such a rail service.”

The RITES report also proposes doubling and electrification of all lines in the second phase to boost capacity.

Planning experts have welcomed ULTA’s moves. India Urban Space Foundation chairperson and Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy co-founder Swati Ramanathan said the commuter railway service is important as it connects satellite towns with the city centre. “The infrastructure is already there,” she said. “We have defunct stations and the tracks have mostly been laid that we can make use of.”

Rail line as a lifeline

A Commuter Rail Service (CRS) for Bangalore makes enormous social as well as economic sense, says a RAAG cost-benefit analysis. A look by M.A. Siraj

Does Commuter Rail Service (CRS) for Bangalore make any sense? This question is likely to be asked by all those who are curious with the advent of the CRS into the lexicon of the public transport choices being discussed to ease the woes of the commuters in Bangalore in the years ahead.

Cost-benefit analysts say it makes abundant sense in Bangalore, headed for being a megalopolis, where nearly 45 lakh man-trips are recorded by the BMTC on an average working day. The proposed CRS will connect Ramanagaram, Tumkur, Nelamangala, Doddaballpur, Chikkaballapur, Anekal, Malur, Bangarapet and Hosur with Bangalore. It will operate on six routes with a total length of 386 km, will have 85 stations (35 of them are proposed to be new), is expected to have an initial ridership of 1.5 lakh commuters per day (by very conservative estimates), and save the average commuter Rs. 40 per trip.

Environmental benefits

Syed Khader Basha from Washington D.C., a co-founder of Praja’s Research, Analysis and Advocacy Group (RAAG), who has prepared a cost-benefit analysis, says the CRS will displace 50,000 cars from the city’s roads. This will translate into a total savings in trip cost of Rs. 60 lakh when compared to the same people using cars. Besides, there will be environmental benefits as emission from that many cars can be avoided.

Moreover, social benefits such as reduction in fatalities and easing of pressure on police deputed to regulate traffic cannot be quantified. Less clogged roads will allow the road users smoother navigation around the city and reduced commuting time besides reduction in emission due to frequent stoppages at signals.

According to Syed, all public utility projects are weighed against the socio-economic benefits that it brings in. “World over, it is acknowledged that investment in public transport system and infrastructure is always a profitable venture. It not only brings in economic returns but also a slew of benefits to the society and the community. It would provide enhanced connectivity and affordable mobility and cost-efficient transport.”

He, however, cautions against counting the chickens before they are hatched. “Social benefits are very hard to quantify and also the impact will be seen only after 5-10 years. These accrue on slower pace and most times remain invisible.”

One invisible benefit is that it will stimulate economic growth by enabling people to seek employment away from home. Industrialists can think of setting up units at Ramanagaram or Tumkur as talented and skilled people would be willing to travel, given the availability of dependable and cheap transport i.e., CRS in this case. It would help reduce unemployment and, therefore, social problems. Thirdly, middle income group people can have affordable housing in smaller towns while still working in Bangalore.

Greater access

Fourthly, it would enable families from a very wide region to seek better healthcare, allow youth to attend institutions of learning of their choice and offer to the families more opportunities for shopping, entertainment and socialisation. Youths and professionals may use the commuting time for reading, working on laptops or doing things as simple as charging their mobiles, possibilities that buses do not offer.

Fifthly, movement of merchandise for small businessmen, entrepreneurs and vendors and hawkers would be rendered cheaper. Economic activity in the vicinity of stations will be spurred and parking lots, eateries and vehicles providing last mile connectivity will provide employment.

In terms of gender equity, mass transit systems are considered much safer for women than hired transport. Overall, the RAAG analysis says every Rs. 100 investment would result in Rs. 600 in economic returns.

Integration to play a role

In another paper on viability of the CRS, the RAAG analysis forecasts that within one year from the commencement of its operations, the services would be economically viable and slightly profitable. This, however, depends on good integration with other kinds of transport as last mile connectivity for stations is of key importance.

The forecast is based on the data procured from MMTS of Hyderabad and extrapolated with that of the proposed CRS in Bangalore. The computation is based on 50 per cent occupancy to begin with and MMTC cost where fare structure begins with Rs. 2 for the minimum distance ticket. Syed says the CRS need not base itself on MMTS stipulations and work out its own fare structure independently. The parking and advertisement could also bring in revenue.

Aggressive marketing

Not to be overlooked is the fact that CRS would need aggressive marketing and weaning the people away from their personalised transport. It would also require great will power and vision on the part of the administration to resist pressures and temptations from lobbies promoting personal automobiles, drive-in facilities etc., who are out to see any impetus to public transport as the death knell to their interests. We might have to question. Are we ready?

Metro work may slow down trains near Malleswaram

Starting September 1, trains heading out of the City railway station towards Yeshwantpur and beyond and vice versa may have to move at snail’s pace till they get out of the city limits.
BMRCL has written to the divisional railway manager, South Western Railway (SWR), to restrict the speed of the trains to 20 km/hour on both the tracks of the section passing through Malleswaram, where BMRCL is set to build a 66-metre metro viaduct span.

BMRCL has also sought approval from the Commissioner for Metro Railway Safety for construction of this viaduct at Malleswaram to link Sampige Road Metro station and Srirampura Metro station along Reach 3 (connecting Sampige Road to Yeshwantpur).
“The construction of this bridge is vital for opening the line from Sampige Road Metro station (Swastik) to Peenya and Hesaraghatta Cross metro station,” said the letter dated August 18.

BMRCL has also requested 26 traffic blocks, each of two-and-half hours at any time of the day or night, with effect from September 20 for launching the trusses, steel beams and other staging materials spanning the tracks.

The Corporation said it has submitted proof-checked designs and drawings of the viaduct span on August 21 as per the instructions of the Railway Board.

When contacted, an SWR official said the request from BMRCL had been sent to the central office in Hubli and also to the Union Ministry of Railways.

“We are awaiting replies from them. Slowing down the trains at Malleswaram stretch won’t be a problem as most of the trains usually do so, since a station is located nearby and it is within the city limits,” said a senior official from SWR.

Five elevated roads planned

A roadmap of Bangalore Development Plan (BDP) envisaged the construction of five elevated roads connecting neighbouring states, revival of rivers and remodelling of the underground drainage system, said the Member of Parliament (Bangalore South) Ananth Kumar.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the Kadirenahalli underpass on Monday. The BBMP Commissioner along with the Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka, who is also the incharge minister of Bangalore, has prepared the roadmap. The projects are estimated to cost Rs 27,000 crore.

The five elevated roads will be built outside the City limits on Old Madras Road, Yeshwanthapur-Peenya Road, Road to BIA, Mysore Road and Hosur Road, Kumar added.
Ashoka emphasised revisiting the tender system followed in awarding contracts. He said that under the present system, contractors and firms quoting less get the works and quality takes a beating.

“There should be a mechanism where firms with good reputation at national and international level alone should be allowed to take up the work,” said Ashoka.
His comment came following the enormous delay of four years to complete the Kadirenahalli underpass because of the incompetence of the contractor.

Three-phased growth plan for city

Ananth Kumar, MP from Bangalore South, said that at a recent meeting, prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh had told him that Bangalore should be developed into an international city.

To begin with, the BBMP has a Rs10,000 crore comprehensive development plan to be executed in three phases. 

The first phase will involve road improvement works including elevated corridors along major stretches that will lead to places outside the city. 

 

The second phase will involve work related to underground drainage and revival of 300 city lakes.High on the agenda is the revival of the Arkavathy and Vrishabhavathy rivers by diverting Hemavathi river from Hassan to Thippagondanahalli. “In Gujarat, the Nethravathi river was diverted to revive the Sabarmati river. It can’t be done here,” he said.

Underpass finally opens to public More like the Kadirenhalli facility and other flyovers planned to make city roads signal-free

 

After three years’ delay, the Kadirenhalli underpass was finally opened to public on Monday. Home and transport minister R Ashoka, who opened the facility,blamed the delay in work on residents as well as government agencies. “While the residents opposed the project, the BWSSB,Bescom and others came up with multiple problems adding to the delay,” he said. The project work,which began in 2008, was supposed to be completed in eight months. 

 

To avoid such delays,Ashoka called for changes in BBMP’s tendering process. Those quoting the lowest figure are usually awarded the tender resulting in shoddy work, he remarked.“We have to follow a system where there is a pre-qualification round to ascertain the capability of the company. 

 

The BBMP should ensure that only reputed players are called to apply for tenders,”Ashoka said. Such companies will not allow their names to be tarnished by shoddy work, he added.More underpass and flyover works will be taken up at places like Rani Chenamma Circle and JP Nagar Kanakapura Road to make them signal-free. The Nayandanahalli flyover may be completed in two months, he said.

“We have planned underpasses or flyovers at most major city junctions. At least half the planning is already done and at a number of places, we have already begun the work,” he said.

Foundation Stone laid for TTMC @ Banashankari

ELEVATED ROAD TO AIRPORT READY BY JUNE 2013

This project will push both commercial and residential development in the region

The construction of the elevated road over Bellary Road by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has been on for some time now.According to a senior official at NHAI,the entire stretch will be ready by June 2013.This is due to certain delays at two junctions - Kogilu and Vidyanagar.Once the flyovers are ready at these two junctions,the entire stretch will be seamless and will facilitate a smooth flow of the traffic,making travel time from Hebbal to the airport a mere 30 minutes.

The elevated stretch which starts from Kodigehalli gate will be six-lane and extends over 3.72 km.Once this is ready,the toll rates will be revised and the drive to the international airport will be hassle-free.This elevated road will have several underpasses and flyovers at many junctions.

In addition to this ambitious project,another infrastructure project that will serve the region well is the Phase II of Metro Rail.

The plans to make the Outer Ring Road (ORR) a signal-free seamless corridor will make the stretch from the Hebbal flyover to Beninganahalli a potential hotspot for commercial development too.

Residential catchments

The areas around the elevated expressway are potential residential catchments due to the area being a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with an aerospace,IT/BT and hardware park having been proposed.The residential catchments will be the Yelahanka satellite town,Bagalur Main Road,Doddaballapur Road,Hennur Road and Hebbal areas which are well-connected to the international airport road.

Commercial development

The proposed Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) with Special Economic Zones planned for an aerospace park,IT and BT parks will bring in a considerable amount of workforce.This gives immense scope for residential development in the region.

The connectivity from Old Madras Road to Devanahalli is another significant factor that has led to large-scale realty development in this corridor.Commercial spaces,retail outlets,hotels and residential projects are bound to draw high returns on investments due to their proximity to the international airport,and these ambitious civic infrastructure projects.

Upcoming projects

The NHAI has recently drawn up a project to link Dabaspet to Hoskote.This will lead to the direct linking of the NH4 and those travelling from Tumkur and Pune and going towards Chennai can bypass the city,thus saving on precious travel time.

This four-lane stretch will improve industrial growth in the region too.Dabaspet is a well-established industrial estate which has grown after Peenya became congested.The linking of this region to another upcoming industrial region and automobile hub - Hoskote - will give an impetus to further growth in the region.

The residential catchments of Doddaballapur,Devanahalli and Hoskote too will get a shot in the arm with this major road connectivity project.

QUICK BYTES

• COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT ALONG THE CORRIDOR TO THE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WILL SPUR REALTY GROWTH
• RESIDENTIAL CATCHMENTS IN THE HIGH END CATEGORY ARE AVAILABLE IN THE
• NORTH OF THE CITY OWING TO ITS PROXIMITY TO THE AIRPORT
• CONNECTIVITY PROJECTS SUCH AS THE PROPOSED METRO LINK WILL GIVE A BOOST TO DEVELOPMENT

THE HEBBAL FLYOVER IS BEING WIDENED TO MAKE THE TRAFFIC FLOW TO THE AIRPORT SMOOTHER

Proposed Flyover in Kanteerava Studio

Nayandhalli Two Level Flyover

Hebbal flyover to be part of tolled road to BIA

 
The Hebbal flyover, which is being widened, will be part of the tolled road to Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) and beyond.
However, motorists travelling to Yelahanka will be exempted from the toll. The flyover is provided with an exit point at the Yelahanka Junction. Also, as the Yelahanka sub-division is the last suburb under the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) jurisdiction, it is out of the NHAI limits to be tolled.With the extension of the flyover, there will be an increase in the fare collected at the toll gates near the Trumpet flyover leading to BIA.
The widening of the flyover is part of the concessionaire agreement signed with Navyuga consortium, said officials in the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

Moreover, the widening of the flyover by 3.9 metre is expected to ease traffic on the flyover that connects National Highway 7.
The project is scheduled to be completed by April 2013.However, speculations are rife that widening of the flyover will help the consortium recover partial loss that it has suffered after it stopped collecting toll following public outcry. Under the public private partnership model, a concessionaire agreement has been signed between NHAI and Navyuga Devanahalli Tollway Private Limited for the NH-7 upgrading project.
The agreement is for 20 years on Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) basis. While the agreement clearly states that the project has to be completed by Navyuga Devanahalli Tollway Private Limited at its own cost and expense, NHAI had allowed Navyuga to collect toll before the completion of the expressway.

Lufthansa'd 747-800 The Largest Aircraft to shortly fly out of Bangalore after Sep 15th

India becomes first destination in Asia to receive state-of-the-art aircraft, which cuts cabin noise by 30%

The state-of-the-art Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental touched down, after a flight from Frankfurt, at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on Tuesday, amid salute by water canon.

Thus, India becomes the first destination in Asia to receive the aircraft that boasts lengthened fuselage and redesigned wings, in a sign of its importance for the civil aviation industry in the world.

The Frankfurt-New Delhi flight also made Lufthansa, Germany’s national carrier, the global launch customer for the aircraft, the fourth-generation version of Boeing 747.

The aircraft not only enhances comforts in the cabin but also cuts the cabin noise down by 30 per cent. It offers a new business class seat, a 6.5-foot-long full flatbed, which offers passengers improved sleeping comfort and greater privacy. Economy class passengers will also have new seats with more individual space.

“The passenger response to the inaugural flight was overwhelming in all classes. This confirms our high expectations for B747-8 and its great new on-board products,” Lufthansa’s South Asia Director Axel Hilgers told a team of visiting Indian journalists.

Lufthansa underscored its commitment to continue its success in India by introducing the state-of-the-art aircraft to the country. “Making India the Asian launch pad for Lufthansa’s new business class highlights our endeavour to provide Indian customers with the best Lufthansa products worldwide,” Mr. Hilgers said.

The introduction of Boeing 747-8 marks the beginning of a wider overhaul of Lufthansa’s fleet flying to India. The new aircraft replaces B747-400 to run the Delhi-Frankfurt daily direct service (LH 760/1). This aircraft will also fly between Bangalore and Frankfurt after September 15.

New BMTC buses to roll out soon

With Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) planning to introduce nearly 925 buses in the city, it will be interesting to see how many existing buses the authorities will discard and which ones they will opt for, considering the fact that there are a variety of buses plying in the city now. Out of the 925 buses, 400 will be built in the BMTC workshop and the remaining will be manufactured in the workshop of the agencies.

The said target will be achieved only by next March or April. “Body building and other procedures involved take quite a long time, hence, we will take some time in achieving the said target,” says Managing Director of BMTC KR Srinivasa. However, majority of buses will be ordinary BMTC buses, and not more than 175 buses will be high-end.

Introduced in year 2008, Marco Polo buses was touted as one of the best services introduced by BMTC and it came with the same facilities as Volvo but at a lower cost. The buses built by Tatas in collaboration with Marcopolo of Brazil has luxury features of international standards and is priced between Rs 35 and 40 lakh, while a Volvo bus costs nearly Rs 75 lakh.

“Maintenance of Volvos is done by the company itself under the contract, which is an expensive affair,’’ a BMTC official said. However, Srinivasa adds, “We did not get the expected positive response from the commuters and hence, we are not bring ing in more Marco Polo buses.”

“Marcopolo cost only 20-30 per cent less than the Volvo but lacks refinements which are ‘basic’ at that cost. Not only the engines are way too noisy but also the bus struggles to start and passengers in the bus can hear the loud engine noise. The AC does not work efficiently. There are reports of passengers sweating inside the bus. The automatic doors have issues and transmission problems too,” says Dheeraj, a regular commuter.

As far as metro feeders are concerned, we might not see much of it at least now. “Metro feeders have been introduced as a pilot project and in a limited stretch, hence, they have not been fully exploited. We see that metro feeders are used only during holidays. As of now, we are not planning to buy more of metro feeders.”

In the year 2010, BMTC decided to run Mercdes Benz buses in Bangalore city for three months on a trial basis.

However, if you go by what Srinivasa says, we might not witness more of Mercdes Benz buses plying in the city.

He says, “It is difficult to know the performance of a bus with just two buses. We need at least 20-25 buses to run for 4-5 months in order to access their performance. However, if at all, we are ready to take the risk and spend so much of money, then the technical department will have to into the longevity of its features.”

But, BMTC Corona buses that were introduced last year have been receiving overwhelming response and we might see more of these buses running on the city roads.

‘The Corona, which costs Rs 25 lakh less than a Volvo and provides the same services as a Volvo comes at a cheaper price.”

The only bus that has been constant in its performance and response is Volvo, hence, in the coming days, we might see more of Volvos and Coronas rolling out in the city.

Gantry crane launched at Magadi road

Majestic Metro UG station Construction Pics

Zip along Tumkur Road

Two new initiatives have been designed to encourage commuters to switch to public transport and cycling. All buses, BMTC and private, moving along Tumkur Road, now have to take the service road while other traffic has been confined to the elevated road or the normal highway below the bridge. Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) M. A. Saleem said the system has been in place for the last few weeks on a trial basis. The system of a dedicated road for bus traffic has cut down travel time on Tumkur Road, say traffic police.

“We realised that Tumkur Road has heavy bus traffic and needed a separate lane. Since all the bus stops are on the service road, there was no way we could create a lane for the buses next to the median. Hence, we decided to open the service road only for buses. In the coming days, the other traffic on the service road will be pushed to the lanes closer to the median,” Mr Saleem explained. However, traffic police are yet to introduce the Bus Priority Lane (BPL) which was supposed to be run on Old Madras Road. In the BPL system, the centre-most lanes next to the median will be exclusively allowed for buses to reduce the travel time. After the Old Airport Road there are plans to extend the same project on other major roads.

ABIDe member R. K. Misra said that soon there will be a Rapid Bus Lane System introduced on the Outer Ring Road. “The centre-most lane of the ORR is being designed in such a way that only buses will move in those lanes. These buses in dedicated lanes will carry end-to-end passengers,” Mr Misra said

HEBBAL FLYOVER will be wider by 3.25 metres

NHAI Commences Work On Loop Leading To Airport

The Hebbal Interchange is being widened to facilitate smoother traffic flow towards the Bengaluru International Airport.The Hebbal Flyover,as its more commonly known,is one of the citys landmarks.
The National Highways Authority of India has commenced work on widening by 3.25 metres the flyover loop leading to the airport.This follows rapidly increasing traffic on the interchange.Currently,the flyover records a daily passenger car unit (PCU) of about 1.4 lakh,which is projected to cross the 2 lakh figure in a years time.NHAI asked us to approve the widening proposal.Understanding the increasing traffic volume,we approved it.The road beneath is suffering but its the BBMPs responsibility, said TN Chikkarayappa,engineer member,BDA board.
The deadline for completing the widening is April 2013.The extension piers have been constructed on the left side of the flyover loop.The first pier has been laid on the premises of the National Seeds Corporation building which is right under the flyover.The building wall was damaged some time ago when a BMTC bus rammed into it following brake failure.

PRIDE OF BANGALORE

Inaugurated in 2003 and built in a record 26 months BDA built it at a cost of Rs 43 crore Has four loops which add up to 5.23 km Designed by RITES Bagged first prize in 9th Outstanding Bridge National Awards Competition given by Indian Institution of Bridge Engineers in 2005 

 

ONGOING AND ONGOING...

BBMP wants Electronics City under its jurisdiction.It should instead introspect

On Tuesday BBMP passed a resolution to bring Electronics City under its administrative ambit,without a care for its existing workload or its abilities.The civic body which had barely 100 wards under it has devoured more area in the last five years and now has 198 wards.Seven CMCs and 110 villages it took charge of in 2007,when the existing BMP became Bruhat,are still woefully lacking in the basic trio of amenities roads,water and drainage system,as a majority of the area is still under-developed.That it has bitten off more than it can chew was highlighted when the High Court commented that the BBMP did not know how to manage the increasing number of wards that it insists on having under its ambit.Since the city fathers do not seem to be taking stock of the situation,BANGALORE MIRROR decided to look at five major BBMPs infrastructure projects which seem to go on and on.

THE PAPER PROJECTS

It has been 13 years since the idea of an elevated expressway from Minerva Circle to Town Hall was first mooted,but not a stone has been moved on the ground.This despite the project featuring in state budgets from the time of SM Krishna to BS Yeddyurappa. The flyover at Rani Chenamma Circle has been in the pipeline for the last five years.Tenders were called in May this year,but it remains to be seen when the project will actually take off. Parking space is the bane of the city,but the civic body is yet to tackle the problem.Former CM Sadananda Gowda announced 20 multi-level parking lots would be built,but thats still on paper. The 8-lane corridor from Okalipuram Rajajinagar to Khodays Circle was pegged at Rs 115 crore and finally approved by the state cabinet last year.But the project is yet to take shape.

MARKET UNDERPASS

Easily the longest running project,the underpass was meant to ease the woes of thousands of pedestrians who traverse the stretch under the KR Market (Sirsi) flyover.It was also meant to streamline the flow of traffic.More than half a decade on,the project seems nowhere near completion.What's more,motorists and pedestrians have had to put up with gaping trenches,piles of mud,potholes discarded concrete and what not.The only real progress the project has made is on paper: It was moved from the projects central department to the major works department.But going by the pace work on the ground,it is anybody's guess when it would be finally completed.

• Launched in: Aug 2006
• Original deadline : Feb 2008
• Estimated cost: Rs 5.8 crore

BRIDGE OVER Storm Water Drain  AT GALI ANJANEYA TEMPLE

Every time there is a downpour,Gali Anjaneya is sure to be flooded with filthy water from the storm water drain which runs parallel to the temple premises.The BBMP had promised to build a bridge over the drain,but for the temple authorities and the thousands of devotees,this has only remained a pipedream.The project was stalled after the contractor and the BBMP locked horns over who would desilt the drain.

• Launched in: May 2006
• Original deadline : Feb 2008
• Estimated cost: Rs 20.83 crore

SANKEY TANK ROAD WIDENING

The stink that this project raised redefined the rising animosity between residents and the civic body.Residents refused to allow trees on the stretch to be axed and several courted arrest.Public meetings turned into acrimonious affairs so much so that work on the project is yet to commence.

• Launched in: Aug 2011
• Original deadline : Aug 2012
• Estimated cost: Rs 33.2 crore

CNR RAO CIRCLE UNDERPASS

This was a JNNURM project and was to be executed along with six other underpasses -- Nagavara Ring Road,Kadirenahalli Ring Road,Puttenahalli,Basappa Circle and Hennur-Banaswadi.The underpass was to connect Malleswaram and Mekhri Circle to Yeshwanthpur,but it came under heavy criticism from residents - including CNR Rao himself - thanks to the destruction of green cover which it entailed.Mayor Venkatesh Murthy claims that the project,which is just 60 per cent complete,will not be ready for public use until December.

• Launched in: Jan 2010
• Original deadline : Dec 2010
• Estimated cost: Rs 30.14 crore

KADIRENAHALLI UNDERPASS

The project was delayed after the civic body fought a legal battle with residents over land acquisition.Construction work has caused partial closure of the Outer Ring Road at Kadirenahalli Cross for years and waterlines were hit.This project was the bugbear of residents of Banashankari.

• Launched in: May 2008
• Original deadline : Mar 2009
• Estimated cost: Rs 28 crore

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

MYSORE ROAD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The four-phase project was scaled down to two phases after BMRCL began work on the Metro at Nayandahalli junction.It envisioned building a six-lane road from Sirsi Circle,but the project was fraught with hurdles from the start,one of which related to acquiring land from the Muslim and Christian burial grounds.Then came the delay in utilities shifting with the BESCOM and BWSSB both dragging their feet.Now,after nearly four years,the project is yet to be completed by the contractor who pleads helplessness due to rising costs.

• Launched in: July 2009
• Original deadline : Jan 2011
• Estimated cost: Rs 11 crore

PATCH-UP JOB

Stung by criticism that it could not fill a pothole right in front of its headquarters at Hudson Circle (God save Electronics City! BBMP services all set to spread there,BM,August 1),the BBMP swung into action and promptly got the stretch between Nrupathunga Road and Vokkaligara Bhavan asphalted.The work had been pending for the past two months,despite BBMP commissioner M K Shankarlinge Gowda ordering his engineering officers to expedite the work.

Metro Reach-3 Update

Buses to BIAL turn Green

Rise of Falcon -Designed by HOK

Govt may allow HSRL going underground

Public Works Minister C M Udasi has said that a suggestion by some MLAs to make the proposed High Speed Rail Link to Bangalore International Airport go underground in front of the Government Flying Training School, Jakkur, would be considered.

The minister, replying to a matter raised by MLA Goolihatti Shekar (Ind) in the Assembly on Tuesday, said that it may not be possible for the National Highways Authority of India to realign the NH7 in front of the flying institute in Jakkur. The road is getting widened and the land for the same has been acquired.

Shekar had said that the government must ensure that the training school doesn’t lose some more land because of the road projects. It would be difficult for the school to use the airfield if the runway becomes shorter. The proposed High Speed Rail Link, in front of the school, could go underground so that the activities of the training school will not be affected.

The minister said the training school officials had told the government that the road widening would reduce the length of the runway affecting the flights. Operating against the instructions of the Director General of Civil Aviation would lead to the closure of the prestigious training school, the officials have said.

The training school officials are planning to purchase private land to maintain the runway length and the NHAI is ready to bear the cost.

Metro Phase-1 Reach-2 Update