CNR Rao underpass open for traffic

 After missing several deadlines, the CNR Rao Junction underpass near the Indian Institute of Science is now open for vehicular movement.

On Thursday the trial run of the underpass began but it will be fully operational on Saturday. This underpass will connect Malleswaram and Mehkri Circle benefiting thousands of commuters travelling every day from there.

The decision to allow vehicular movement was taken although construction work has not been finished completely even after four years of starting the work and may take another month. In the wake of regular traffic bottleneck at the junction, the BBMP decided
to open the underpass to traffic.

Palike sources said the Rs 31.14 crore project was entrusted to Madhava Hytech and East Coast Constructions and Industries way back in January 2010 to finish the work in one year. But the work dragged on for four years, thereby escalating the project cost exorbitantly.

The project was marred by internal strife between the two contractor firms, who at one point decided to separate but later came together to complete the project.
Palike and the State government had warned the two firms of blacklisting them but neither the government initiated any action nor the firms took the warnings seriously.