Just 3.1 km add-on road to NICE, but it will be tolled too

Elevated road will commence just 500 metres away from where the Sirsi Flyover ends, at Padarayanpura Junction, cross BHEL Circle, and connect to the existing NICE Road

A 3.1-km-long elevated road has been proposed to be built by Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise, better known by its acronym NICE, after Sirsi Circle. The road will connect the traffic to and from BGS Flyover, also known as Sirsi Flyover, to the existing NICE Corridor (The NICE-Mysore expressway and the NICE peripheral road) which is already tolled. Now, NICE promoter Ashok Kheny is planning to have a toll for this 3.1-km add-on road too. 

It has been decided that the construction for the elevated road, just 500m from where the Sirsi Flyover ends at Padarayanpura Junction, will commence this year. 

"I am spending Rs 300 crore for the 3.1-km long elevated road and it is my right to collect the toll. Those who use this road will have to pay toll," NICE managing director and MLA Ashok Kheny said. 

Kheny claims that the elevated road is part of the project framework agreement signed between the then Janata Dal government and NICE on April 3, 1997. "The elevated road is part of our old project and the reason to approach BBMP was to avoid future conflict," he added. 

He also claimed that the elevated road won't come under BBMP jurisdiction. "It falls under the Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC), which was notified by the then government on July 13, 1999, itself." 

NICE has sent the proposal to BBMP's Major Road's Infrastructure Department, seeking structure plan approval. As planned, the 3.1-km long toll road will start from Padarayanapura Junction, near Idgah Masjid. 

Once the elevated road is constructed, a motorist coming from the Town Hall side and heading towards Mysore Road can climb onto the Sirsi Circle Flyover as before. Those who want to use the toll road can get on the NICE Road, while others can use the service road below to continue along the toll-free Mysore Road. Motorists coming from Chamrajpet 1st Main Road will also be able to climb up the ramp to the NICE Road. 

Kheny said, "We will ensure hassle-free traffic for the people of Bangalore. We will ensure that there is no conflict during the construction, and for that particular reason we wanted to co-ordinate with BBMP. We sent the proposal for structural plan, which has been approved by the BBMP Council and by the Mayor. Now if some standing committee wants to sit on the proposal by opposing it, let them do it. We have got approval from the Supreme Court and no one can stop us from taking up the project." 

Kheny claimed that the existing NICE road has eased lots of traffic congestion. "Presently we have 70,000 daily vehicle users of our existing road. Just imagine if NICE Road weren't there the traffic situation in the city ," he said. 

Kheny has an alternative proposal. "Instead of implementing this project, vehicles coming from core Bangalore can climb onto the existing Sirsi Circle Flyover and can further continue along the NICE Road till Tumkur Road, from where we will provide connectivity to Bellary Road. The proposal is pending before the government seeking approval for extension of NICE Road from Tumkur Road to Bellary Road." 

When contacted, BBMP commissioner M Lakshminarayana said, "I have not signed any agreement for the collection of toll. Nor has the BBMP signed any agreement with NICE. Whatever decision has been taken by the BBMP Council will be forwarded to the state government. I cannot say anything on it."