Come Dec, BIEC to get underpass ending commuters' woes

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is all set to open an underpass at Madavara Cross in December, providing a seamless connection to the Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre (BIEC).

However, the NHAI officials noted that the deadline could be met only if the state government releases its share of the project cost on time.

The Rs 26.10 crore project was taken up last year much to the relief of the government, which is sharing 50% of the cost.

However, the government has deposited about Rs 6 crore and is yet to release more than Rs 7 crore necessary for the completion of the project.

Interestingly, the state cabinet had in August 2017 set aside Rs 157 crore for the project, while the total estimated cost has brought it down to Rs 26.10 crore.

However, it is not clear why officials are delaying the release of a fraction of the amount they had planned to spend earlier.

Lack of access is a major bane for the exhibition centre, which provides a spacious
environment for major
events.

Commuters from the city have to travel an extra mile and take U-turn at the busy junction near Madanayakahalli to reach the centre.

On the other hand, VVIP movement to the BIEC leads to traffic snarls as hundreds of vehicles are made to wait at the junction to create a free passage.

“Besides providing an underpass, the flyover will help highway commuters by reducing the congestion at Madanayakahalli. The contractor will finish the work by November end provided that the funds are released on time,” a senior NHAI official said.

Work on the right-hand side of the underpass began in September 2017.

In January, the remaining work was started after getting the necessary clearances.

According to the schedule, the project should have been completed in September.

NHAI officials expressed concern over the delay in the release of the funds further affecting the project.

Asked when the facility would be opened for the public, the officials said the inauguration could be held in December.

“We have written to the government, requesting to release the funds at the earliest. The shortage of funds will definitely hurt the remaining work,” they said.