Service road in front of Esteem Mall may open in two days

While work on the skywalk at Esteem Mall is moving at a snail's pace, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has widened the service road on Ballari Road that links the Hebbal flyover ramp and the outer ring road towards Krishnarajapuram.

NHAI is now awaiting permission from the Lake Development Authority (LDA) and defence authorities, who hold some portion of the land, for widening the western side of the stretch, the sources said.

NHAI Bengaluru Project Director D Srinivasulu Naidu told DH: "The total cost of widening the service road is Rs 5.6 crore. The service road starts from Esteem Mall and leads to Hebbal, Nagawara and surrounding areas. The newly widened stretch on one side that was earlier filled with mud, will probably be thrown open to traffic in two days.”

Meanwhile, NHAI's skywalk project at Esteem Mall is yet to gain momentum with only foundation pillars laid on both sides of the road. NHAI said that if police grant them permission, they will start laying the central pillars on which the skywalk structure stands.

A student from Sindhi College had died in an accident near Esteem Mall on Ballari Road last year which prompted the NHAI to launch a skywalk project with the support of various stakeholders. The skywalk costs Rs 1.25 crore.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike is also upgrading the storm water drain close to the mall and is taking up desilting work.