Airport-Kundalahalli Gate road to be converted into four-lane stretch

Airport-Kundalahalli Gate road to be converted into four-lane stretch

The Hindu

Industry captains prefer BDA to execute project work

BANGALORE: Industry captains have preferred the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) and the Public Works Department (PWD) to undertake some important infrastructure development works in the city.

The Government, apparently to mollify the industrialists who have expressed displeasure over the poor infrastructure, has constituted an Empowered Committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary. The committee comprising senior officials of various departments, including the BDA and representatives of the industry, has chalked out a plan to develop some roads.

Official sources told The Hindu that as a first step in meeting the demands of the industry, the Government has agreed to convert a stretch of the road between HAL Airport and Kundalahalli Gate (vicinity of Whitefield) into a four-lane one. The work on the 5.12 km stretch, which forms part of Bangalore-Varthur Road, will be taken up immediately at a cost of Rs. 5.84 crores. The road, which was under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department, has been handed over to the BDA.

Commissioner of the BDA M.N. Vidyashankar said the authority will do its best towards improving infrastructure in Bangalore. Tenders for the project will be floated soon and the work will be completed in eight months. The stretch, which passes through Marathahalli, is always congested. The four-lane road will not only provide a big relief to people living on Airport Road and at Marathahalli and Whitefield, but also to a number of industries in the area.

Mr. Vidyashankar said an overpass across Bangalore-Salem railway line at Marathahalli will form part of this stretch.

The work will be simultaneously undertaken at a cost of Rs. 5.50 crores. The BDA has held discussions with the Railways. If it agrees, the BDA is ready to undertake this work.

Many software companies and other business houses on Bannerghatta Road and Sarjapur Road, which contributed in a big way to develop the two roads three years ago, were upset over the slow pace of work. The PWD has been stating for nearly two years that the work will be completed at the earliest.

Residents blocked the Bannerghatta Road a few days ago after water entered their houses following heavy rain. Part of the road comes under the purview of the Bommanahalli City Municipal Council.