Corporator seeks opening of alternative route to KIA

The alternative road to Kempegowda International Airport via Bagaluru has remained useless despite spending Rs 413 crore on its construction, according to BJP corporator, Padmanabha Reddy.

“The road has been laid from Hennur Ring Road to the KIA through Bagaluru to minimise pressure on Ballari Road. To make the road operational, the only requirement is to instal a gate by demolishing a portion of the wall at the KIA, which has not been done,” Reddy told reporters here on Monday.

He alleged that the alternative route was not opened as it would cause huge loss to an infrastructure development company collecting toll on Ballari Road for building the road.

“The BBMP has developed the alternative route at a cost of Rs 413 crore. It has spent Rs 83 crore for laying road and issued Transferable Development Rights worth Rs 320 crore to landlosers. The government should probe the misuse of funds,” Reddy said.

He explained that the alternative road to the KIA would shorten the distance by almost 15 km. It will also bring down fuel consumption per vehicle. Further, it would minimise the traffic pressure on Ballari Road.

Reddy urged the State government and the BBMP to hold a discussion with the KIA authorities to open the alternative route. He added that he would hold a discussion with the Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation G M Siddeshwara to make the alternative route operationalise.