Outer Ring Road proves long and costly

Outer Ring Road proves long and costly
The Times of India

Bangalore: The 64-km outer ring road (ORR) is considered one of the crowning achievements of the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA). But it is a costly crown, having cost Rs 497.79 crore, or Rs 7.7 crore per km, to build.

Now, the BDA is adding on a 5.7 km stretch to it, at a cost of Rs 49.8 crore or at Rs 8.73 crore per km.

This little stretch will connect the Peenya-Magadi Road junction with Basavanagudi. But it is not a new idea. It was included in the original ORR plan when the project was first mooted. Land acquisition and litigations scuttled it so the ORR in that particular portion was completed on a deviation via Kengeri. Now, the 5.7 km link is being re-started because it is shorter! Tenders were floated on Tuesday and companies have a month to send their bids.

According to BDA commissioner M.N. Vidyashankar, this portion requires three underpasses, two near a petrol bunk at Nagarbhavi and another, a box-type underpass that will come up below the broad gauge railway line on Mysore Road. The stretch will save commuters 13 km from Magadi Road to Mysore Road.

The ORR, which connects all major roads and highways in and out of Bangalore, has now been 18 years in the making. Vidyashankar said work has involved 22 or 23 contractors in all. With the extra 5.7 km, total ORR length will be 69.7 km and total cost will be Rs 547.59 crore.

COST FACTOR

•Work began in 1987.
•Over years, price escalation has led to cost touching Rs 497.79 crore.
•A small 5.7 km portion will now be done at Rs 49.8 crore.
•Overall project cost — Rs 547.59 crore or Rs 7.85 crore per km.