Two days after the government announced its decision to go ahead with the construction of the contentious 6.9-km steel flyover, the traffic police reopened the magic box underpass at the Cauvery theatre junction on Friday.
The police shut down the “unscientific” underpass in May, eight years after it was built. The reason given then was to ease traffic towards the Kempegowda International Airport. Four months later, in a volte-face, the police decided to reopen the underpass as the BDA decided to begin work on the steel flyover in October.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) R Hithendra told DH that the magic box was closed on a trial basis to ease traffic on the road leading to the airport.
“Once the construction of the flyover starts, there will be hindrances and deviations again. So, the magic box has been reopened,” Hithendra added.
The underpass allows traffic flow from Bashyam Circle to Guttahalli Main Road.
Commuters plying on the busy Ballari Road and Sankey Road were pleasantly surprised after the underpass was opened. BDA officials have, however, clarified that they had not requested the traffic police to open the Cauvery magic box, according to P N Nayak, BDA engineer. The state government is in a hurry to make the steel flyover a reality without holding any public consultation or getting approval from the Bengaluru Metropolitan Planning Committee. The project will cost of Rs 1,800 crore.
Volte-face
In May: The traffic police wanted to analyse the situation on Monday (May 30) due to the closure (of the magic box). The police have identified diversions. The closure of the magic box did not cause much inconvenience to road users from the Bashyam Circle end. The police inspected the situation at the junction in the morning and evening. It was more or less normal. We will reopen the magic box only after the elevated flyover is thrown open for road users.
On September 16: The magic box was closed during May-June this year to ease commuting to the international airport on a trial basis. It has been reopened after the government decided to go ahead with the steel flyover. The BBMP will also commence the road-widening work.