JOIN USSeamless drive on ORR only after two years
Bengalureans will have to wait for another couple of years to experience a seamless drive on the Outer Ring Road (ORR). This is due to two projects that are still under progress on the ORR, even as two more have been announced in the State budget for 2015-16.
The State government has entrusted the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) with the task of constructing an underpass on the ORR, beneath the Hebbal flyover’s loop leading towards Nagawara, and a flyover at Doddanekundi.
These two are in addition to the construction of 25 skywalks on the ORR. The construction of flyover at the Kanteerava Studios Junction and an underpass at Gurguntepalya is underway, BDA engineer member P N Nayak told Deccan Herald.
He said the flyover at Kanteerava Studios Junction will be completed by September, 2015. One lane of the flyover (leading towards Yeshwantpur) has been completed, at a cost of Rs 44 crore. The project was delayed due to continuous traffic.
Meanwhile, the piling work at Gurguntepalya underpass from Gurguntepalya to Alisda Junction began four months ago and work is expected to be completed in a year’s time.
The project has been delayed as nine acres of Defence land is yet to be handed over to BDA, which had sent the related file to the Defence authorities in September, 2014.
While the in-principle clearance has been given, five days ago the Defence officials sent the file to New Delhi for final approval.
BBMP to take charge
Once all flyovers and underpasses are constructed, the entire ORR will be handed over to BBMP and it will co-ordinate with the traffic police to provide signal-free travel. Providing seamless connectivity has become important as at any given time, the passenger car per unit per hour at any signal is around 12,000-13,000 and there are over 15 signals on ORR.
The 25 skywalks, work at Kalyan Nagar, Babusapalya and KR Puram-Santhe Madian, on Old Madras Road, will be completed within three months, costing Rs 207.48 lakh, Rs 207.48 lakh and Rs 236.30 lakh, respectively.
Tenders for the remaining 21 skywalks have been invited and will be constructed at a cost of Rs 99.20 lakh, each. The spots are - Devinagar Cross, Kempapura, Lumbani Garden, Manyata Tech Park, Bescom-Ambedkar Ground at HBR 4th and 5th Block, Banaswadi underpass, Vijaya Bank Colony Cross, Ramamurthy Nagar, Kasturinagar Cross, Ecospace, Ibbalur Junction, Marathahalli Innovative Multiplex, Kadubeesanahalli, near New Horizon College, Marathahalli Kalamandir, HSR Layout, near Swathi Restaurant, Central Silk Board bus stop, BEL underpass, Kanteerava Studio Junction, Nagarabhavi 1st stage at ITI Layout, Nagarabhavi village, Nagarabhavi 2nd stage and Sumanahalli.