Grade separator: forum comes up with suggestion

Grade separator: forum comes up with suggestion
The hindu

`The BMP should build it according to IRC specifications'

# BJP has threatened to launch an agitation if work is taken up
# Congress says BMP should build the grade separator

Bangalore: If you had two alternatives — one an expensive, intense and flawed proposal and another cost effective, simple proposition — which one would you choose?

While the answer seems obvious, the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) seemingly has chosen the first option for the Malleswaram grade separator.

The issue of the grade separator has snowballed into a controversy after the Bangalore district in-charge Minister R. Ashok ordered the BMP to stop work. The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress members have turned it into a political issue with the former threatening "jan andolan" if work begins on the separator and the latter demanding that the grade separator come into existence.

So what is the solution? Do we need an underpass at Malleswaram Circle?

Members of Malleswaram Swabhimana Initiative (MIS), which took the initiative to point out the flaws in the design to higher officials in the BMP and the Government, have come up with two solutions with help from scientists and civil engineers.

Land could be acquired at the Government Urdu School, the horse stand could be demolished and a bus bay built at the existing 5th cross bus stand. A small traffic island could be created so that other vehicles do not enter the bus bay, they say. Synchronised traffic signals if installed at the Margosa Road and Link Road intersections would help manage flow of traffic and crossing of pedestrians.

As heavy traffic flow is the stated reason for the construction of the grade separator, the organisation suggests that mofussil buses that use Margosa Road could be rerouted to Dr. Rajkumar Road. "These vehicles do not pick up or drop passengers in Malleswaram anyway," says Sumathi Rao, president of the organisation.

If the proposal to turn Jakkarayankere (area opposite Swathi Hotel) into a road is implemented, then all mofussil buses and vehicles on their way to Yeshwantpur need not take Sampige Road, according to the members of the organisation.

"But if the BMP is keen on building the grade separator, it might as well do it according to Indian Road Congress (IRC) specifications," they say.

The service road, 5.5 metres wide at present, should be widened to 7.5 metres so that it is able to easily accommodate a BMTC bus as well as an ambulance headed in or out of K.C. General Hospital. Footpaths on all sides should be 3.5 metres wide as required by IRC rules in shopping areas.

"Of course, property need to be acquired to build the grade separator. But for the design to work, you need a 120-metre wide road," Ms. Rao says.