Detours ahead for fixing of MAGIC BOX

Detours ahead for fixing of MAGIC BOX

Bangalore: Pushing aside apprehensions over the viability of the magic box underpass, the BBMP is initiating the project at three junctions, one after the other. From January 16 to February 29, underpasses will be constructed on the northern corridor along Hebbal Road — Windsor Manor, BDA and Cauvery Theatre junctions.
While work at Cauvery Junction will be carried out between Wednesday and Saturday, the magic box underpass at BDA Junction will be made between January 19 and February 28.
The underpass at Windsor Manor will be made between January 28 and February 29. Traffic diversions have been chalked out for all three junctions.
The magic box underpass is a device that has been applied in Malaysia. It uses pre-cast elements, is cost-effective and takes little time.
Addressing reporters on Monday, BBMP commissioner S Subramanya said: “The magic box at Cauvery Junction will be fixed in 72 hours and we will stick to that. The other magic boxes will also be thrown open for public use as scheduled, by the end of March.’’ Explaining the hitches, Subramanya said near Cauvery Theatre, seven huge water and sewerage pipes could not be relocated and hard rocks were found while excavating the earth.
Each magic box can withstand 70 tonnes. Two earth movers, two excavators, 12 dumpers, four soil-nailing units and two huge cranes will be pressed into service. Soil nailing binds the soil and prevents it from falling into the underpass.
Cauvery Junction
Work to be taken up 65 metres from the junction on T Chowdaiah Road, from January 16-19.
Diversion schedule
Traffic from Sadashivanagar will be diverted at Bhashyam Circle towards Vyalikaval. Vehicles to take right-turn at 11th Cross, then left to Temple Street and towards Seshadripuram Link Road
Traffic from High Grounds and Palace Cross will come up to Palace Guttahalli Junction and will take a left-turn towards Vinayaka Circle and right-turn towards Vyalikaval Police Station Road (Jeevaraj Alva Road, between Vinayaka Circle and up to Vyalikaval police station, will be made one-way for three days. The road further will remain two-way).
BMTC buses from IISc will be diverted at Circle Maramma Temple Junction towards Malleswaram 18th Cross. Other vehicles can go up to Bhashyam Circle.
Traffic from Bhashyam Circle will turn right at 11th Cross near Vyalikaval Police Station Junction.
Road ahead
Vehicles moving towards Mehkri Circle from High Grounds have to take a left-turn on Sankey Road and a U-turn on the magic box to reach Bellary Road. Vehicles from Mehkri Circle can go without being stopped at any traffic signal. Vehicles from Sankey Road go into the magic box and can turn right or left.
Windsor Manor Junction
Work from January 28 to February 29.
Diversion schedule
Traffic from Basaveshwara Junction towards Windsor Manor will be diverted to Millers Road through LRDE junction-Ali Asgar Road-Chandrika Hotel Junction towards Udaya TV Junction.
Traffic from Palace Cross Road towards Windsor Manor Junction will be diverted towards Palace Cross Road-1st Main Vasanthanagar Junction-Palace Road-Avinash petrol bunk and on to High grounds Junction to facilitate the existing one-way on Palace road from Cunningham Road Junction. Further up to High Grounds Junction, traffic flow will be reversed temporarily.
Traffic from Shivananda Circle towards Windsor Manor Junction will be diverted at Shivananda Junction towards Nehru Circle and right-turn on Railway Parallel Road.
Road ahead
Vehicles from Mehkri Circle and High Grounds can pass into the magic box without any traffic signal. For vehicles coming from High Grounds, U-turn will be provided on Kumara Krupa Road for vehicles going to a private layout or Mehkri Circle. Vehicles going towards Kumara Krupa from Mehkri Circle will take the ramp over the magic box. Vehicles from Kumara Krupa Road can turn right or left at the junction.
BDA Office Junction
Work between January 19 and February 28
Diversion schedule
KSRTC, APSRTC and private buses from Air Force Headquarters on Bellary Road will be diverted towards Jayamahal Road via TV Tower. BMTC buses and other vehicles will be allowed up to Cauvery Junction. They will turn right on Sankey Road and move towards Vyalikaval Road.
Traffic from Sadashivanagar 18th Cross will be diverted towards Bhashyam Circle towards Vyalikaval or Malleswaram 18th Cross.
Traffic from VS Raju Road will be diverted at BDA Cross Road towards Railway Parallel Road and further towards Shivananda Circle.
Traffic from Vasanthnagar will be diverted at Palace Road-Palace Cross Road junction towards Udaya TV Junction, Avinash petrol bunk on to Palace Road.
Road ahead
BBMP proposes to make BDA Junction signal-free. Vehicles from High Grounds and Mekhri Circle will pass over the ramp on the magic box without any signals. Vehicles from Vasanthnagar can go into the magic box, towards High Grounds, Mekhri Circle or Seshadripuram. Vehicles going from Seshadripuram to Vasanthnagar can go into the box.
Police sceptical
The policemen have a different tale now. According to ACP (traffic, central) K Eshwar Prasad, approval for traffic diversion has been given only at Cauvery Junction.
“We have apprehensions whether work at Cauvery junction will be completed in 72 hours. The BBMP may encounter problems while taking up excavation. I have asked them to divert traffic only near Cauvery Junction and not at the other two junctions,’’ said Prasad.