JOIN USThe much-hyped steel flyover project from Basaveshwara Circle to Hebbal may have received the approval of state government in principle, but the work on the 6.9-km-long stretch will be delayed as the government has asked the Bangalore Development Authority to realign it. So, the authority has to start from scratch, again.
Sources in Urban Development department said that during the recently held meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and attended by Additional Chief Secretary, the BDA board members and officials, the much-delayed and nearly-shelved project was approved.
But the BDA has been asked to realign it and cut down the cost. “As per the earlier plan, there will be seven ramps leading to the main steel flyover, one of them is near Vidhana Soudha. We have asked to change this, as apart from safety issues, it will effect the beauty of the Soudha. Another major challenge is the cost of the project, which is pegged at Rs 1300 crore - 1400 crore. We have asked them to cut down the cost also,” said the Urban Development department source.
According to the original plan, the flyover was to take all the traffic from Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain, Vidhana Soudha, Golf Club, High Grounds, Freedom Park, Sankey Road and surrounding areas to Hebbal to ensure smooth connectivity to international airport.
The BDA was hoping for funds under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM). The project had gained a lot of momentum in the last few years. It was also highlighted in the previous two budgets and the construction was scheduled to start in May - June, 2015.
The BDA had estimated to use 55,000 tonnes of steel for this project. The project is back on track, but the UDD has also sought for detailed examination from technical consultants as this is a huge project. All this is likely to delay the project further.