Hurdles delay flyover work

Hurdles delay flyover work
The Asian Age

Bangalore, Dec. 9: The problems in land acquisition, litigation and the delay in getting clearances from the ecology and environment department besides the steep hike in steel prices have slowed down the construction of three flyover and three underpass (grade separators) projects in the city. These projects are being implemented by the Bangalore City Corporation and the Bangalore Development Authority at different locations in the city to decongest vehicular movement.

Speaking to The Asian Age on the corporation’s ongoing projects, BCC engineer-in-chief Rame Gowda said that the BCC encountered some problems while constructing the Basavangudi flyover and the grade separator at the Rajajinagar entrance. These problems pertained to litigation and clearances from the government. “The projects were slowed down because of this and will now be completed only by the end of March 2005,” he added.

Explaining the reasons for the delay, Mr Gowda said that ever since the Basavangudi flyover was conceived, the corporation has been having a tough time with local residents vehemently opposing the project. The filing of a public interest litigation and the delay in obtaining the clearance of the environment department were the main reasons for the slow progress of the flyover project, he explained.

As regards the grade separator at the Rajajinagar entrance, this project suffered largely because of the delay in land acquisition on the entire stretch, Mr Gowda said. “These were the reasons why we have been unable to stick to our project deadlines,” he candidly admitted. The problems in land acquisition have now been overcome with the corporation paying Rs 4 crores to those whose land was acquired for the project.

Mr Gowda however said that work on the grade separator on Modi Road which started recently. will be completed on schedule in August 2005.

Public relations officer at the BDA T.C. Kathyayini told The Asian Age that the steep hike in steel prices was the reason for the delay in completing the Jayadeva flyover-cum-underpass in Jayanagar 9th block and the Airport Road-Intermediate road junction project in Indiranagar which were originally slated to be completed in April this year. “Due to the steep hike in steel prices, the Uttar Pradesh State Bridge Corporation which is the implementing agency, has slowed down work on the projects and has demanded that the BDA pay the deficit of Rs 4.25 crores. The BDA has agreed to this and has already paid the additional money in this regard,” she said.
The UP State Bridge Corporation has now agreed to complete the Jayadeva flyover by December end while the underpass is likely to be completed in February.

The Airport Road-intermediate road junction project will be completed in June 2005,” she added.