Banaswadi flyover facing problems, may be redesigned

Banaswadi flyover facing problems, may be redesigned

The Hindu

BMP plans to widen the two ramps, if engineers clear the proposal

# Two-wheelers, pedestrians put to hardship
# Local residents oppose construction of two loops

Bangalore: The flyover in the Banaswadi level crossing took five years in the making and cost Rs. 6 crore. While the pile up of vehicles on the two sides of the railway level crossing may now be a thing of the past, local residents and a section of motorists are not happy.

The flyover was meant to provide a traffic signal-free passage between Maruthisevanagar and the ring road but has created a fresh bunch of problems, say residents. Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) and South Western Railway (SWR) were cost-sharing partners in this venture.

Residents and traders of Maruthiseavanagar, R.S. Palya, Jaibharatnagar and road users between Kammanahalli and Byappanahalli have launched protests under the banner of a "Horata Samiti". They say the project had several plans. The flyover itself is 66 metres long and 13.5 metres wide and has two ramps, 244 metres and 162 metres in length. There are two loops, of 140 metres and 325 metres length, as well.

The road users point out that perhaps because enough land could not be acquired, the two ramps are narrow. They are just 7.5 metres wide now. The service roads below the bridge are narrow and cannot cope with peak hour traffic. The flyover is bereft of pedestrian walkways. The residents of the area now have to manage with the relatively narrow service roads to go towards the Indian Oil Corporation storage depot and Ramaswamypalya. Those riding two-wheelers and pedestrians are said to be facing most difficulties.

The BMP officials are known to be examining the feasibility of widening the ramps, if engineers approve the structural safety. Providing better access to Byappanahalli and Kammanahalli and alternative passages for light vehicles and pedestrians are the other problems that have to be solved by the civic authorities in tandem with the railways. These have to be done with interfering with the level crossing, which has to be carefully manned to prevent accidents. The agreement with the railways was that the level crossing could be closed down once the flyover is constructed.

This can happen once the two loops providing access to Kammanahalli and Byapppanahalli from the main bridge, are completed. A box type underpass, a little north of the bridge, has been planned by BMP. This is to provide through passage to pedestrians and light vehicles. But these additional facilities will cost the BMP at least Rs. 4 crore more. For widening the ramps, some defence land will have to be acquired and alternative accommodation provided at the BMP's expense.