Hosur Road expressway on track

Hosur Road expressway on track
The Times of India

Bangalore: The 9-km elevated expressway connecting Central Silk Board to Electronic City is on track, with construction slated to begin on April 2.

Speaking after inaugurating the technical exhibition of Indian Road Congress, Union minister of state for road transport and highways K.H. Muniyappa told reporters: “All three partners — Centre, state and the Electronics City Association — will shortly form a special purpose vehicle and work will begin. It will be completed in 18 months and will function as a toll road.’’

Hailing the functions of Indian Road Congress, Muniyappa said designs by Indian engineers were being eyed even by the international community. “The road we have built from Ahmedabad to Vadodra, where 96 km can be covered in 55 minutes, is one of the finest in the world,’’ he contended.

Setting an agenda for future road engineering design, Muniyappa said the country’s main concerns were quality, strength, longevity and low costs.

“Along with these, our roads should also address the issue of environment. The Centre is considering planting fruit-bearing trees along all highways, like the Maharajas of the yore, to ensure that the bird population increases and the air is automatically air-conditioned.’’

Karnataka’s public works minister H.D. Revanna said in the last six months, the Centre had built 360 km of national highways in the state. “Besides this, we’re planning seek grants for rural roads maintenance from the Centre. The state itself will release Rs 60 crore this month for the purpose, while a Rs 275-crore proposal has been sent to NABARD, 50 per cent of which is for new rural roads.’’

Revanna said his promise of filling potholes on the state’s major district roads was being fulfilled. “We have filled potholes on 80 per cent of the 14,000 km of roads so far. The rest will be completed by month-end.’’