The good news first. Connectivity issues have got a breather, as they can now be completed or at least improved in time before the opening of the greenfield airport.
The bad news however remains that major infrastructure projects are never completed as per the deadlines set.
Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) stands to gain from the extended time available for it to complete the signal-free underpass at the seven junctions planned.
BBMP Commissioner Dr S Subramanya described the postponement as giving a breathing space to complete the underpass works. “We never competed with the opening of the airport at Devanahalli that was scheduled for March 30. The BBMP has been completing the project whether the airport opens or not,” said Dr Subramanya.
Having completed the first signal-free stretch at Cauvery junction, the BBMP hopes to complete the second underpass at BDA junction within the stipulated time of 45 days.
Road projects
Added the commissioner, “It has been ten days since we started the project. Works at Anandanagar have also started. We will take up either the Sanjaynagar stretch or the CBI point once this is towards completion stage.”
Mr Krishna Reddy, chief engineer (Major Roads), BBMP says, “We embarked on the decision of roadwidening project much before. As an arterial road and a national highway, the Bellary Road needed roadwidening. Deadlines to complete the work is only a objective. Our task is to complete the signal-free stretch as early as possible, with minimum inconvenience,” Mr Reddy said.
The BBMP officials involved in the project question as to why only they are being blamed for the delay.
“Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL) was entrusted to take up the work on the road to Devanahalli. High speed rail link was planned. Every one knew about the opening of the airport. Nothing has progressed beyond preparing reports,” added other officials.


‘RETAIN HAL AIRPORT’


The demand to retain the HAL Airport after the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) starts commercial operations seems to be gaining strength day by day.
The Karnataka Chapter of Transparency International India on Friday took exception to the promoters of the airport Bangalore International Airport Limited’s (BIAL) decision to press for the closure of the HAL Airport once the BIA becomes operational.
Justice (Retd) M F Saldanha, chairman of the Karnataka Chapter of Transparency International India in a letter to BIAL CEO Albert Brunner has termed the concessional agreement between the BIAL and the Government to close down the HAL Airport after BIA becomes operational as ‘void’.