Bull Temple Road flyover unnecessary: citizens' forum

Bull Temple Road flyover unnecessary: citizens' forum

The Hindu


Bangalore: The proposed flyover on Bull Temple Road, close to the Ramakrishna Ashram here, has been strongly opposed by yet another group of citizens who have formed the Bangalore Citizens' Welfare Forum.

Three noted Kannada litterateurs — M. Chidananda Murthy, G.S. Shivarudrappa, L.S. Seshagiri Rao — and the head of a chain of private professional colleges, M.R. Doreswamy, have come together in support of the people of Basavanagudi who have expressed resentment over the plan to construct a flyover-cum-underpass in the area. They have demanded that the Government should follow the procedures, including holding a public debate, before approving the project.

At a press conference here on Thursday, the members of the forum said that would file a public interest litigation in the Karnataka High Court, if required.

The proposed flyover near the Ramakrishna Ashram is expected to cost nearly Rs. 45 crores.

The leaders of the forum said the flyover-cum-underpass is not required, and even experts on traffic management, who are advising the Government on infrastructure matters, have expressed their reservations over constructing a flyover at the proposed location.

The Government should first hold a public debate on all aspects of the project, including the traffic study for the project, plan specifics such as the width of the service road, the flyover and the underpass and whether two-way or one-way traffic is planned on the flyover.

The Government could opt for alternative measures such as installing synchronised traffic signals on all roads leading to Ramakrishna Ashram Circle, widening the approach roads with clear lane markings and repairing damaged roads and storm-water drains.

Mr. Doreswamy said he has conducted a survey of traffic snarls in the vicinity of the Circle and the solution is not a flyover.

People are aware of the gestation period of infrastructure projects in Bangalore.