Rethink need for new flyovers

It comes as no surprise that the inauguration of a flyover widely believed to be completely unnecessary was chosen as the occasion for the announcement of many more such projects, the need for several of which are completely questionable.

One is totally baffled at the need for a grade separator at the RV Teacher's College Circle. There is barely any traffic congestion here and reducing the circumference of the circle at this junction will alleviate whatever little there is. There is absolutely no need for an expensive grade separator. Even the South End Circle, which in spite of being the point of intersection of six roads has relatively little congestion. Also, three of the proposed grade separators, the one at Minerva Circle in addition to the above mentioned ones fall on the same stretch of road. If construction on all three are taken up at the same time it will cause untold misery to residents and commuters along this stretch. Add to it the delays that the BMP is reputed for and you have a perfect recipe for chaos.

Besides, one wonders if the fact that the Metro is to pass along this very stretch of road has been taken into consideration by the BMP while proposing these grade separators. The lack of co-ordination is only all too apparent.

While intersections like the Koramangala-Madivala Checkpost junction are badly in need of a grade separator and continue to be ignored, the rationale behind choosing these locations is highly suspect and it looks like a grand scheme to siphon off funds in the name of infrastructure. The BMP should realize that the days of high handed decision making is over. It should stop proposing grand projects at its whims and fancies and involve the public in a discussion before taking decisions on projects that involve large sums public money and are likely to inconvenience the public a great deal.