Steel structures favoured for ring road

Steel structures favoured for ring road

The Hindu

# Arguments The project can be completed in a year if steel structures are used
# Use of RCC involves acquiring land, takes more time

Bangalore: The proposed Inner Core Ring Road can have steel elevated expressways, said H. Rajasimha, Chief Engineer (Infrastructure) of the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike.

Speaking at a programme organised by the Rotary club of Bangalore Orchards on "My Bangalore Tomorrow" here on Tuesday, he said that building the expressway in steel had many advantages as the project could be completed within a year since it involves erecting steel structures. Using RCC to build it, on the other hand, would involve acquiring land and would take more time, Mr. Rajasimha said.

Another advantage of the steel expressways is that it could have three levels for vehicles to travel — the existing ground level, one for two-wheelers and another for four-wheelers, he said.

The existing plan for the Core Ring Road proposes to connect 50 junctions and will run for 30 km. Mr. Rajasimha said that radial roads could be built to connect the road to inner city areas. It would increase the length of the roads to 48 km, he said.

The project could be proposed under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission or be given out to private companies on a Build Own Operate Transfer basis. The company could collect toll fee, amounting to Rs. 280 crore a year, for a period of five years. The total cost of the project has now been estimated at Rs. 1,440 crore, he said.

Mr. Rajasimha spoke about the possibility of creating basements on busy roads such as M.G. Road and Brigade Road.