BMRC will manage traffic on either side of metro track

BMRC will manage traffic on either side of metro track

The Hindu

Four-lane roads, pavements to be built along the rail track


BANGALORE: Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRC) plans to build a four-lane road along and under the metro tracks to facilitate smooth and fast traffic.

BMRC managing director V. Madhu said the work did not stop with the construction of elevated tracks. "We will take care of the traffic under them."

Land acquisition

BMRC plans to provide clear two-lane traffic on either side of the tracks.

"We are acquiring land required for four-lane traffic under the tracks," he said.

About three-fourths of the 33-km track will be above the ground. The tracks will come up on the pillars to be laid on the medians of roads.

Mr. Madhu said BMRC would need a 19.6-metre wide strip of land.

Of it, 2.6 metres will go for the median. The four-lane traffic movement will require 14 metres (7 metres on either side).

The pavements on either side will take 1.5 metres. Together, the pavements will occupy three metres, adding up to 19.6 metres.

Mr. Madhu said the work would begin in areas where land was available or could be acquired.

"Where a strip of 19.6 metres is available, we can ensure smooth movement of traffic even as we build the tracks. One of the promises of the BMRC has been made is that it will ensure minimum hindrance to traffic while executing the project," he said.

Contract

The BMRC is likely to award the contract for the Reach 1 (from Mahatma Gandhi Road to Byappanahalli) of the project in November or early December. The work is expected to start by December end or early January.

Mr. Madhu said there was hardly any need to acquire property on C.M.H. Road for road widening, though "we need a few properties on the Swami Vivekananda Road (from Trinity Circle to its junction with C.M.H. Road).