JOIN USThe Tagore Circle underpass will finally be inaugurated by Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Saturday, thus putting an end to years of ordeal faced by residents.
The Rs 28-crore project, which was started in October 2009, was taken up under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) at an estimated cost of Rs 18 crore. However, due to inordinate delays the cost escalated to Rs 28 crore.
The project, which was to be completed within a year was delayed by 16 months, making it a harrowing time for both residents and motorists.
The underpass which is 378.39 mt and 30 ft wide, with service roads on each side of the road, will help motorists plying between Jayanagar, Padmanabhanagar, Banashankari, Kumaraswamy Layout, Basavanagudi, National College and KR Market.
Loss of green cover
The project was mired in controversy from day one. The work which was started at midnight took the residents by surprise. They were not only anxious of the troubled times ahead but were also wary of the loss of greenery, considering the proximity of the project to M N Krishna Rao Park.
Despite several assurances by the Palike officials, the project was not only delayed but the greenery too suffered a severe blow.