The Centre gave its approval almost a year ago. But the BBMP took ten months to invite tenders. This is the fate of two developmental works taken up under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for infrastructure upgradation in Basavanagudi.

The Centre gave its approval for the construction of an underpass at R V Teachers College Circle and another underpass at Tagore Circle way back on November 24, 2006 at the total cost of  Rs 16.86 crore Rs 15.92 crore respectively.

The first installment of Rs 1.18 crore for the underpass at R V Teachers College Circle and Rs 1.53 crore for Tagore Circle project was released by the Centre on December 15, 2006. Though the funds have been released ten months ago no work has been taken up. Thanks to the delay by the BBMP in inviting tenders for these projects.

BBMP called for tenders for these two works only on September 25 this year and bids will be opened in the coming week. But denizens are left wondering when these underpasses will take shape in reality and how helpful would they be to motorists.

Cart before horse?

It’s also interesting to note that even before the technical bids were opened, former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy laid the foundation stone for the underpass at Tagore Circle during the month of May this year and had instructed officials to complete the work on time.

“Which underpasses? Who is building them? When are they getting constructed?” were questions asked by Sharmila, a student and resident of Basavanagudi, when she was asked about the status of work regarding the underpasses.

Like her, secretary of a prominent institution on B P Wadia Road too seemed curious to know about these projects.

“I commute via Tagore Circle every day. I am also aware that the foundation stone was laid at Tagore Circle with grandeur in the presence of former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy some months ago but no work has been started there after that. When would the work begin,” he asked.

‘Utter waste’

Shankar, owner of Sri Shankar Provision store at R V Road poses an important question on whether these underpasses will be helpful to public at all, in the present times. “It’s an utter waste of tax payers’ money. The National College flyover is hardly used by the public. If these underpasses are constructed they will meet similar fate as majority of the people prefer commuting via the already existing roads,” he felt.

M N Sreehari, Chairman of Traffic Engineers and Safety Trainers argues that these underpasses might not serve any purpose for a long time to come.

As far as the delay in starting the construction work of these projects is concerned Mr Chandrashekhar assures that work will certainly start in the first week of November. “Government has cleared the file regarding these projects recently. Work will start soon,” he said.


Flyovers and underpasses are required in areas that exceed 8,000 passenger car unit (PCU) per hour where as R V Teachers College Circle and Tagore Circle have only 4,500 to 5,000 PCU per hour. These underpasses won’t be technically feasible (geometrical requirements too don’t call for these underpasses).

M N Sreehari,
Chairman of Traffic Engineers and Safety Trainers
 
These underpasses will be very useful to ease traffic congestion in Basavanagudi and connecting roads. Fuel worth crores of rupees will be saved after these underpasses are thrown open to public.

K Chandrashekhar,
Basavanagudi MLA