Soaring cement, bitumen prices halt road works

Soaring cement, bitumen prices halt road works
By Satish Shile ,DH News Service,Bangalore:
Widening of four main roads in Bangalore City has come to a standstill. Reason: Sudden escalation in prices of cement and bitumen...

Widening of four main roads in Bangalore City has come to a standstill. Reason: Sudden escalation in prices of cement and bitumen.
The BBMP entrusted the task of widening Palace Road, Race Course Road, Seshadri Road, Kasturba Road to Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL) in May.
The total stretch of four roads taken up for widening was 5 km and the cost of the work was estimated at Rs 14 crore.
KRDCL returned the proposal last week stating it cannot take up the work at the cost estimated earlier.
Not feasible
KRDCL Managing Director Ramesh Jhalaki said the Corporation returned the proposal because it was not possible to complete the work within the estimated budget. “There was a sudden increase in cement and bitumen prices. Cement price went up by more than Rs 100 per bag. The price of bitumen went up by 20-30 per cent. It was impossible to take up work at the cost estimated earlier.”
After the KRDCL returned the work proposal, the Palike decided to float fresh tenders. BBMP Chief Engineer (Road widening) Krishna Reddy said the work, estimated at Rs 14 crore earlier, was revised to Rs 17 crore.
However, KRDCL sent the returned proposal stating it required at least Rs 19 crore to complete the work.
“Widening work was started by cutting trees on Race Course Road in June. Hotel Taj West End, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and other buildings have already given up their land for widening. The Palike will float fresh tenders by the end of September,” he said.
The total corridor (road, sidewalk and utility duct) width will be between 24 and 30 metres after the widening works. Roads will be widened considering the volume of traffic on each road, he said.
Utility ducts
Mr Reddy said the Palike has decided to set up utility ducts on either side of Race Course Road.
“Cables passing through the road are too old and it is necessary to remove all of them.
The Palike will set up utility ducts which can be used by Bescom, BWSSB, BSNL for their cables. Works on utility ducts between Chalukya Hotel and Taj West End will begin in two-three days and funds estimated for the work is Rs 49 lakh.”
“These ducts will be used by other departments on rental basis,” he said.
ON HOLD
Palace Road
Race Course Road
Sheshadri Road
Kasturba Road
Width: Between 24 metres and 30 metres