Work on expressway to new airport to go ahead

Work on expressway to new airport to go ahead

Special Correspondent

Construction of the 21.2-km road will be begin in September


BANGALORE: Despite strong opposition from people whose land will be acquired for the project, the State Government has decided begin work in September on a 21.2-km expressway from the Outer Ring Road to the international airport at Devanahalli at an estimated cost of Rs. 482 crore.

The expressway, on which vehicles can touch 180 kmph, will start near Horamavu and end at the approach road to the airport. About 617 acres and 95 buildings have to be acquired for the expressway. A notification will soon be issued for the acquisition of land, Karnataka Road Development Corporation Managing Director Ramesh Jalki and Bangalore Metropolitan Regional Development Authority Commissioner Sudhir Krishna told presspersons here on Thursday.

26 firms in fray

Twenty-six companies have submitted documents for construction of the expressway. The bidding process will be completed next month.

The agreement and financial closure will be reached in August. Work on the expressway will be completed by December 2008. Bangalore International Airport is expected to be operational by April 2008.

"This airport can be currently accessed mainly through the Bangalore-Devanahalli section of NH 7," Mr. Krishna said. But NH 7 would not be able to handle the additional traffic expected after the commissioning of the airport, he said.

Tanks to be protected

Two major tanks, Challakere and Boyilahalli, will be protected and measures to conserve and beautify lakes have been proposed as part of the project.

The adoption, maintenance, conservation and beautification of lakes will be the responsibility of the concessionaire and form part of the concession agreement, Mr. Krishna and Mr. Jalki said.

The two said any greenfield project was likely to face resistance in the initial period from those whose land had to be acquired. But they would come to accept it when the value of the remaining was enhanced because of the project, they said.

The proposed toll for the expressway (one way) is Rs. 50 for cars, Rs. 60 for light carriage vehicles and Rs. 120 for buses and trucks. The toll will be collected for 30 years, excluding the construction period.