BCC to take up new projects

BCC to take up new projects
The Bangalore City Corporation is all set to take up new projects for the city in the coming year.
Times of India

With the work of asphalting city roads, and construction of the two grade separators at National College and Modi Hospital junction progressing, the Bangalore City Corporation (BCC) is looking at other new projects. Three sub-ways, two major valley works, a sports complex, and a major bridge feature in the BCC's list of projects for the coming year.

Speaking about the new projects to be taken up, the BCC Engineer-in-Chief, Rame Gowda said, "we have received the green signal from our Council as well as an assurance from the Chief Minister to carry out some of the much-needed infrastructure projects in the city. The major valleys of the city, i.e. Koramangala and Chellaghatta are being taken up first and tenders have been called for the Hebbal Valley Phase I work.

It may be recalled here that the Chief Minister Dharam Singh recently inaugurated water supply to new wards, J C Road two-storeyed car park, and the Yediyur lake project. These are a few among many projects completed by the BCC.

Sub-ways

The BCC Council has approved three sub-ways at Vijayanagar, K R Market, and Hudson Circle. First, the subway at Vijayanagar will be taken up at a cost of Rs 53 lakhs. The 10-metre wide sub-way will connect the Vijayanagar Market and the service road on the other side of the main road. This sub-way is being welcomed by the residents of Vijayanagar as crossing the main road during peak hours has proved risky and tiring as this road connects the west and south of Bangalore and also leads to NH 4 and Outer Ring Road.

The other sub-ways are in the final stages of clearance. Though there is a sub-way at the K R Market it has become redundant as it doesn't serve the purpose of pedestrians. So, the BCC has planned three more sub-ways at the other three corners of the market, and to connect all the four sub-ways to make it efficient for pedestrians. This project is estimated to cost Rs 5.31 crores. The Hudson Circle sub-way is planned between Ulsoor Gate police station and the Bangalore City Corporation Head Office at an estimated cost of Rs 2 crores.

All these are scheduled to be completed in the nest 18 months.

Sports complex

The BCC has planned a huge sports complex at the Shivajinagar Stadium at an approximate cost of Rs 5.5 crores. The sports complex will serve as a training centre for events of national and international levels. The sports complex will have facilities for indoor games including badminton, billiards, and table tennis. It will also have a library, auditorium, and gymnasium. Apart from these, the stadium will have a football ground, basketball court, wrestling arena, pavilion, and adequate space for parking vehicles.

The work is scheduled to be completed by the end of next year.

Bridges

The BCC will take up two bridges shortly - Hebbal Valley Bridge and Vrishabhavati Valley Bridge at an estimated cost of Rs 80 lakhs and Rs 68 lakhs respectively. It is stated that over a period of time the existing bridges had become inadequate for water to pass through, causing floods in the areas around.

The two bridges are expected to be completed in the next 18 months.

Valleys

Work on the two major valleys, the Koramangala Valley and Chellaghatta Valley is being taken up simultaneously at an estimated cost of Rs 100 crores and Rs 60 crores respectively. The two valley projects will be finished within 18 months, said the BCC's Chief Engineer. Some buildings in the Koramangala area have been suffering damages due to overflowing of storm water drains, and consequent flooding. After a study, it was found that the width of the downstream end of the valley up to a distance of 4 km from the Belandur Tank was inadequate.

Also, the problem is compounded by haphazard construction and encroachments on its either sides along the 4 km length of the valley. "After a careful study we found that the best option to surmount the problem of under-sizing of the Koramangala Valley and consequent flooding is to provide a bypass through the vacant lands next to Ejipura Main Road. The approximate length of the drain proposed through the lands is 4 km and the width 25.30 feet. This will prevent flooding in the valley - particularly in the low-lying areas of Ejipura and Koramangala", said Rame Gowda.