Changes in CRR to avoid clash with Metro Rail

Changes in CRR to avoid clash with Metro Rail
Vijay Times

HE implementation of the ambitious Core Ring Road (CRR) project, proposed by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) in its Revised Comprehensive Development Plan- 2015 (RCDP), may face some hiccups as the alignment of the CRR would clash with that of the Metro rail.

According to an official in the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP), the proposed CRR project was mooted as a remedy to the growing traffic problem that was causing unnecessary delay in commuting and to prevent unnecessary entry of vehicles into the City.

Initially, when the project was planned, it was estimated to cost Rs 250 crore. The BMP was expected to monitor the work on the project. "With a few minor changes, the alignments could be changed in such a way that there is no clash. Both the projects can help reduce traffic snarls in the City," he added.

The entire CRR was designed along existing roads. There are 50 junctions on the road, out of which, around 30 junctions will have steel grade separators that can help road users take a decision on turning changing their direction. The hi-tech separators would be designed by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), he said.

The 29.5-km CRR with four lanes would be designed in such a way that there were no-stoppage zones, no U-turns or right turns. Instead, every junction would have steel grade separators to allow for a change in direction. "The Ring Road will circle around Yeshwanthpur, Rajajinagar, Sirsi Circle, Chamarajpet, Lalbagh, Dairy Circle, Adugodi, Vellara junction, Trinity Circle, Naga theatre, Benson Town, Jayamahal Road, Sadashivanagar and Mathikere Road," the official added.

However, he expressed apprehensions over the project not taking off. The BMP, he said had to resort to large scale demolitions in the City and shift utility services like the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) and the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) , if it had to implement the CRR.

To expedite the work and to study the project, a micro committee comprising Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) Managing Director Upendra Tripathy, Ravi, a representative of IdEC, R K Misra, one of the members of Empowerment Committee and BMP Chief Engineer (Projects) Ranganath had been constituted.

According to the official, the committee had met twice and had proposed to consider the implementation of Elevated Core Ring Road (ECRR), which he claimed would help them avoid demolition of structures. He also added that the ECRR would cost at least Rs 2,000 crore.

The committee had suggested to the government that the project be designed on a DesignBuild-Own-Operate-Transfer (DBOOT) basis.