How viable is Okalipuram 8-lane project

Beneficiaries Are Divided Over The Proposed Corridor 

The proposed Okalipuram road-widening project was suddenly dusted off the shelves after over four years,when the Jagadish Shettar government laid its foundation stone last week.

If electoral compulsions assembly polls are due in May next are behind the sudden move,there is need for a rethink.For,the targeted beneficiaries are divided over the viability of the project.While a section of residents of west Bangalore believe the project is necessary for smooth travel to CBD areas,others see it as a shortsighted move which may not benefit anyone at all.

At the heart of the divide is the Namma Metro project,which scythes through a part of western Bangalore.Metros northern line passes through Malleswaram and Rajajinagar,while the western line passes through Magadi Road and Vijaynagar.

Save Bangalore Committees Rajajinagar sub-committee had urged the government to go slow on the Okalipuram road widening plans till the Metro work is over and commuting patterns evolved.

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC) estimates that if the Metro corridors between Peenya and Majestic and Mysore Road and Majestic start operating,they would ferry 10 lakh people a day,automatically reducing the load on the roads leading to CBD, said Pratibha Kumari,who spearheads the Rajajinagar sub-committees civic campaigns.

Kumari hinted that lobbies like corporators,contractors and politicians might want to make the most before the elections.There are also issues about people who will be displaced by the work.There are a few shops and houses near Abhimani Prakashana on Dr Rajkumar Road who will have to suffer the most.BBMP offers transferable development rights (TDR) and not compensation,unlike the Metro which has given compensation to people who were displaced.TDR is less than the market value of the property, she added.

Residents of Basaveshwaranagar feel the Okalipuram work will provide easy accessibility to Majestic and KR Circle,without having to go to Vijaynagar Metro station or Rajajinagar Metro station using feeder services.

It is good that they widen this small stretch of road and benefit thousands of commuters and residents of the residential and commercial areas.It will reduce their travel time to a large extent, said Sharad chandra H Shah,vice-president of Basaveshwaranagar residents welfare association.

WHATS THE PROJECT 

The Okalipuram eight-lane corridor will widen Vatal Nagaraj Road stretch between Okalipuram Junction and Fountain Circle,also known as Khoday's Circle,near the City railway station 

• It will be part of the 6.6km along Bhashyam Circle-KR Circle signal-free corridor 
• It will comprise eight loops and 272.92m underpass and two flyover sections 
• An 18-month deadline has been set for completion of the project.South Western Railways has agreed to give 12,818 sqm land for the project 

CORRIDOR OF COMPLEXITIES 

FOR: 

Basaveshwaranagar residents say the project will provide easy accessibility to Majestic and KR Circle,without having to go to Vijaynagar or Rajajinagar Metro stations using feeder services 

AGAINST: 

Others say once Metro links Peenya and Majestic,and Mysore Road and Majestic,it would ferry 10 lakh people a day,reducing the load on roads leading to CBD.Also,the project would cause displacement

WILL IT HELP While a section of residents believes the project is necessary for a speedy commute to CBD areas,others see it as a short-sighted move