Airport expressway hits roadblock

Airport expressway hits roadblock
Deccan Herald

The Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) is likely to miss its target date for the launch of the international airport, as work on the six-lane expressway linking the City with Devanahalli has made little headway...

The Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) is likely to miss its target date for the launch of the international airport, as work on the six-lane expressway linking the City with Devanahalli has made little headway.

While the airport is set for an April 2008 launch, BMRDA is pushing for a mid-2008 opening for the PPP-model expressway. “The survey work has been demanding because the terrain is tough; we also need to address the issue of quarries on the way,” BMRDA Chairman Sudhir Krishna told Deccan Herald on Thursday.

When the expressway proposal was formalised in October this year, BMRDA was looking at an early 2008 launch.

The Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL) is doing the survey and Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the expressway, which will start at the Hennur-Challakere stretch on Outer Ring Road and pass through Chikka Gubbi and Bagalur before reaching the airport. The expressway will then connect to NH-207.

Terrestrial images of the proposed alignment routes are being superimposed on areas earmarked in the survey. According to Mr Krishna, the work is going to be challenging, as the BMRDA is also exploring the option of elevated stretches. “We hope to complete the survey and the techno-economic feasibility report by the end of January. The land acquisition pattern and budget will be decided on only after that,” he said.

The expressway’s length will be approximately 21 km, instead of 26 km as was proposed earlier.

Heavy traffic

With the airport to have an annual passenger capacity of 11 million, traffic on the expressway is going to be pretty heavy.

Mr Krishna said the BMRDA will rise to the challenge.

“Apart from six lanes, there will be adequate space to park broken-down vehicles.

The expressway will be designed to facilitate vehicle speed of up to 180 km per hour,” he said.

PROGRESS CARD

*21-km, six-lane expressway with a design speed of 180 kmph

*In survey phase; BMRDA hopeful of mid-2008 opening

*Survey work challenging, due to tough terrain and quarries

*Techno-economic feasibility report by January-end