This road will be an ATM for Govt
The government’s proposal for a 65-km peripheral ring road (PRR) between Tumkur Road and Hosur Road is likely to be a very expensive project with each kilometre costing an estimated Rs 50 crore.
But the State Government has come up with a novel method to recover the money, and probably trigger a revenue booster, by categorising an area of one kilometre on either side of the PRR as a ‘hi-tech zone’ and, in all probability, with a relaxed floor area ratio (FAR).
The PRR project, which will figure in the State Budget 2012-13 as a Bangalore Development Authority project, will cost Rs 1,510 crore. Another Rs 2,000 crore is likely to be spent on land acquisition. The project will be taken up under a public-private-partnership model.
Nine companies have qualified for the tendering process. The eventual builder will collect toll to recover the cost. The State Government will have to spend about Rs 25 crore to Rs 30 crore every kilometre on land acquisition.
The hi-tech zones will ensure that companies willing to set up shop can get easy access to the neighbouring States. “Since the road will cater to those travelling into neighbouring states like Tamil Nadu, it is also likely to attract a lot of revenue to Bangalore,” said State government sources.
The project will now be a 12-laner with eight-lane carriage ways ferrying commuters on either side, two dedicated bus rapid transport system (BRTS) lanes and two service lanes.
Besides, there will be space in the in the median for mono rail / metro rail, that may come up in the future.
“Currently, there is no proposal by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited to have a metro rail running along the stretch. However, space will be allotted to ensure that in future if construction is taken up along the PRR there is no cutting of road to facilitate the metro pillars,” said the source.
But if the metro rail doesn’t materialise as anticipated, the dedicated portion for the track will be converted into another two lanes for easier traffic movement.
The dedicated BRTS lane of 5.5-metre width will run along the entire stretch of the PRR. “It will be a well-planned and state-of-the-art road catering to the City’s burgeoning traffic,” said the sources.
As reported earlier by Deccan Herald, the PRR will have as many as nine toll booths along the entire 65-kilometre stretch.
Toll charges will be based on the National Highway Authority of India rates.
