SWD project to bring flood of woes
Re-modelling of infrastructure taken up at Sudhamanagar after four-year delay
The Central Business District (CBD) is all set to witness chaos over the next few months with infrastructure projects being taken up on a large scale in the City.
With the Namma Metro project work on Minsk Square ready to block traffic on one end, the BBMP project of expanding a storm water drain (SWD) near Shanthinagar bus depot is likely to create more woes for motorists travelling in and out of the CBD.
After an inexplicable delay of nearly four years, the crucial SWD re-modelling to avoid perpetual flooding caused in Sudhamanagar and the adjoing areas has begun over the weekend.
Commissioned in 2007 during the period of the erstwhile Commissioner, Dr S Subramanya, the re-modelling of the SWD has been taken up earlier this month. BBMP officials state that the traffic police delayed permission for the project for the past few years, which delayed the project.
“Had it not been for the delay in permission granted by traffic police, the project would have been taken up much earlier,” said an official.
Backlog possible
Despite having been assured by the contractor that the project would be completed in 90 days, the BBMP has stated that there might be a backlog of shifting the utility lines, including, sewage pipes, BESCOM and BSNL cables, which might lead to further delay.
“While on the one hand we have begun the re-modelling work, the shifting of utility lines is taking place on the other hand. We are hoping that the shifting work will be completed at the earliest,” hoped the official.
To speeden the re-modelling process, a two-vent SWD using pre-cast elements is slated for the project.
“These pre-cast elements are the same that are used for underpasses across the City. However, there is a change in the dimensions for the SWD,” said the official.
The BBMP has taken up the re-modelling project in two phases to avert traffic congestion at a total estimated cost of Rs six crore.
While the first phase will create the SWD along the stretch between Shanthinagar and KH Road, the second phase will cover the road from the opposite side. The traffic police, who have already notified the traffic diversions on July 1, are chalking out the second phase diversions scheduled for mid-August.
The SWD was crucial for the BBMP in order to avoid major disasters due to flooding in the low lying areas of Sudhamanagar, Wilson Garden and Shanthinagar.
