Sivananda Circle flyover to miss deadline

Mired in controversy, the steel flyover project on Hare Krishna Road at Sivananda Circle in Central Bengaluru is unlikely to meet its deadline of March 2019. The slow pace of work will only add to the traffic chaos, especially during peak hours.

The delay is attributed to the “modification of the project” following the high court’s order and shifting of utilities belonging to various civic agencies. The project was scheduled to be completed by March 2019. However, according to officials, it may not be ready before May 2019.

The steel structure spanning 493 metres, is intended to ease traffic between Sivananda Circle and Race Course Road. But the BBMP had faced stiff opposition from locals who had challenged the civic body’s decision in the high court.

However, while admitting the plea, the high court refused to grant an interim stay on the flyover in January, forcing the petitioners to approach the Supreme Court. K T Nagaraj, chief engineer of the project told DH, “The revision of the original plan following the high court’s directions which included changes in technical aspects and shifting of utilities may delay the project.”

“We have modified the length of the flyover, which has been increased from 326 metres to 493 metres to reduce the vertical gradient,” he added. The cost of the project will remain Rs 19.85 crore, he clarified. “The steel fabrication is being done at Mysuru Road and assembled at the project site. This will reduce traffic jams here,” Nagaraj explains.

Manoj Kumar (name changed), a resident of Sheshadripuram said, “Whenever it rains, three feet of water accumulates under the railway bridge because of this flyover project. Also, there are frequent accidents. According to experts, this flyover is not viable.”