Overbridge project hits roadblock

Overbridge project hits roadblock
Deccan Herald

A traffic diversion at Wheelers Road, or the traffic pile-up at Banaswadi underpass or the Mosque road had failed to irk the daily commuters. Reason: The ITC railway overbridge (RoB) coming up at the Wheelers Road level-crossing promised them respite from traffic woes by November 2007.

However, the sudden slowing down of the ITC overbridge project has fuelled resentment among the residents and commuters alike.

The cost-sharing ROB project of the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) and the South Western Railway (SWR) that began in June 2006, seems to have hit a roadblock owing to delay in land acquisition for the project.

Says a member of the project team, “Over the last eight months, we managed to complete 30-40 per cent of the project. But now, we are forced to go slow as the ITC is yet to handover its land as promised. Nearly 40 pc of the bridge portion falls within the ITC premises.”

Even as the Bangalore Mahanagara Palikeand SWR are engaged in negotiations with the ITC, the project team is worried over inordinate delays causing cost escalation and losses.

“We have already spent Rs 4 crore out of a total Rs 11 crore. The superstructure is ready and beams are ready for installation too. Once we get the Utility clearance, we will restore the service lanes to facilitate movement of the beams to the site. However, we are hoping the land acquisition is done faster,” added the official.

“The ITC has agreed to part with its land. But the negotiations have been slow,” admitted another official.

Meanwhile, the Residents Welfare Association of Bangalore East (Rewabe) has urged the BMP and SWR to stick to the deadline of November 2007.

“We hope the project is completed within the given deadline. Delays only translate into more traffic chaos. The peak-hour traffic on Mosque road, Cox Town and the two underpasses is unmanageable,” said Mr KP Abraham, secretary of Rewabe.