Basavanagudi flyover is almost ready

Basavanagudi flyover is almost ready

The Hindu

`If rain does not stop work, it will be inaugurated by the end of the month'


BANGALORE: Morning walkers and joggers now use what will soon be the Basavanagudi area's largest flyover. After teething problems and protests from environmental groups, the flyover near National College is almost ready. Work has to be completed now on the approach and service roads and drains and cables.

The project began in September 2003 but almost immediately ran into trouble with groups of residents and environmental groups staging protests saying that apart from the felling of trees, the flyover would change the atmosphere of the neighbourhood. However, the Government gave its approval to the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike to go ahead with the project as it would reduce traffic congestion all around and make it faster for commuters to reach Jayanagar and the new suburbs further south.

Though originally it was to be completed by January 2005, work was delayed because of various technical reasons and the trucker's strike earlier this year. According to the local MLA, K. Chandrasekhar, litigation by groups opposed to the flyover had also delayed construction.

The flyover is about 408 metres long and will reduce congestion on KR Road. Vehicles going towards Lalbagh West Gate and those going towards VV Puram can use the flyover for faster transit. Once the pipelines and cables are shifted, the approaches will be paved. If rain does not hold up work, the flyover may be ready for a formal inauguration by the end of August, BMP engineers say.