The road connecting Bangalore to Mysore has been declared to be part of NH 275 and will be tolled road as per the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) rules and regulations.
But unlike the expressway to the Kempegowda International Airport, the Bangalore-Mysore stretch will have a toll-free service road all along on either side to help those who do not want to take the tolled road.
Seacon Pvt Ltd, a survey contracting firm, will carry out a survey of the stretch in two months, Public Works Department (PWD) Minister H C Mahadevappa said here on Monday.
“The road between Bangalore and Mysore—123 km long—will be a six-lane tolled stretch as per the NHAI 2008 toll policy,” Mahadevappa said. “But we will provide two service roads on either side.”
As per the modalities of the project, the State government and the NHAI will construct a bypass each at Ramanagar, Channpatna and Mandya, besides a flyover each at Bidadi and Srirangapatna.
A pedestrian underpass will be constructed every 500 metres. Besides, an underpass for two-wheelers, pedestrians and livestock has been planned at Maddur, near Shivapura, the minister said.
The government will acquire about 500 acres of land for the project, while the NHAI will bear the entire financial burden. Land acquisition is estimated to cost close to Rs 1,100 crore and the construction cost will be Rs 1,600 crore. In addition, Rs 300 crore could be needed for shifting utilities. In all, the six-lane project is estimated to cost at least Rs 3,000 crore, the PWD minister said.
Both the NHAI and the State government will invite tenders under the Design, Build, Operate, Finance and Transfer (DBOFT) model. The concessionaire, once finalised, will be given a lease of 20 years, including two years of construction and 18 years of maintenance, he added.
When asked if the government is planning the development of the corridor between Bangalore and Mysore, Mahadevappa did not give a direct reply but said, “We will ensure that agricultural activities are not disturbed. Our priority is to ensure that agriculture land is protected.” On the fate of the Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC), the minister said that all infrastructure projects were welcome if they were “ethical and legal”.
“I cannot answer for other private projects. You will have to discuss the feasibility of the BMIC with the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (Nice) representatives,” he said.
Townships
The Housing Department is keen to develop townships along the entire existing stretch between Bangalore and Mysore.
“Bangalore and Mysore are becoming twincities. We are planning to have townships along the entire stretch. As of now, Tubinakere near Mandya has been identified for developing a township,” Housing Minister M H Ambareesh told reporters here on Monday.
The department has 800 acres of dry land in the region, and has already arranged for potable water by way of a lift irrigation scheme. The University of Mysore has a PG centre here (in Mandya) and this would further attract habitation. The department will come out with an affordable housing scheme, he added.
