Signal-free ride still a dream

Signal-free ride still a dream
Bangalore, DHNS:
There's hardly a month's time left for the formal inauguration of the international airport at Devanahalli. But it is certain now the road leading to the airport will not be signal-free by then.


BBMP commissioner S Subramanya had assured the public the construction of seven underpasses on Bellary Road would be completed before the airport’s formal inauguration. But his plans went awry as the completion of the first underpass at Cauvery junction took more than thirty days, against the promised deadline of three days.

Work on the second underpass at the BDA junction began on Friday, February 29 — which should have, according to an earlier timetable, actually begun on January 19 and ended by February 28.

Although the construction of the underpass requires less than 45 days, it is stipulated that the Bengaluru International Airport would be inaugurated before the underpass is ready at the BDA junction.

In view of these developments, the Palike has decided not to consider the inauguration of the airport as a deadline for completing the const-ruction of the underpasses.

Commissioner Dr S Subramanya said, “We have never promised that all underpasses will be constructed before the inauguration of the international airport. We have been telling the public that we will try to complete underpasses by the time the airport is inaugurated”.

In other words, it is impossible for the Palike to complete all remaining six underpasses before the inauguration of the airport.

Excavation works for the second underpass will start by Sunday morning.

“Daytime is suitable to do excavation as it is difficult to identify pipelines, that have not been shifted, in the dark.

During night time we will shift pre-cast elements and other machinery necessary for the work,” he said.

Traffic diversion

Although the public had been informed by the traffic police about the various traffic diversions on several roads connected to Bellary road, two-way traffic was allowed on one-way roads and this led to a very confusing situation.

In addition to the confusion, traffic movement was slow on Bellary road as only one lane at the BDA junction was allowed for vehicles.

UNDERPASS

*Pre-cast elements
required - 35
*Length - 15 mtr
*Total cost - Rs 2.5 cr
nDuration: 45 days

TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS

*Vehicles will not be allowed at BDA junction for 3 days at night
* Only light motor vehicles will be allowed to pass through the BDA junction
* City buses going towards Mekhri Circle to take a right turn on Seshadripuram 1st main road
* Vehicles from Mekhri Circle will be allowed a free left turn towards Palace Road at the junction
* Entry of vehicles to Bellary Road from Mount Carmel College road is prohibited