Inner core ring road yet to begin

Inner core ring road yet to begin
By Satish Shile, DH News Service, Bangalore:
The work on the elevated inner core ring road proposed by BBMP during early 2007 is yet to begin. In fact, the Palike has not even called tenders to prepare the detail project report.


The objective of the project is to connect 50 busy junctions of the city by an elevated road of total length - 30 kms. Tenders were invited to prepare detail project report (DPR) in March 2007, but the response was poor. The Palike expected responses from international bidders. It therefore extended the period to submit bids for DPR by a month and finalised the Span consultants, a Delhi based company to prepare the DPR. The company has quoted Rs 2.41 crore to prepare the report.

As per the norms of the KMC Act 1976 the Palike has to take approval from the state government to allot any tender worth more than Rs 2 crore. BBMP Chief Engineer (Major Roads) K S Krishna Reddy said the proposal was sent to the state government a month ago. The private agency will start preparing DPR once the Urban Development department gives its approval.

The estimated execution of the project is three years. However, the allotment of tender for DPR itself has taken more than a year already.

Signal free ring road

The signal free ring road connects Yeshwanthpura Circle, Mekhri Circle, Jayamahal junction (near Cantonment Railway station), Trinity Circle, Vellara Junction, Diary Circle, Prof Shivashankar Circle (Makkala Koota), Sirsi Circle and Rajajinagar entrance.

Krishna Reddy said the project does not need private land as major part of the road will be above the existing roads. The Palike will make use of government property or storm water drains to provide entry into the elevated corridor at busy junctions.

The project aims to bring down traffic congestion in central parts of the city. Vehicles starting from one corner of the city can reach their destination without entering the centre of the city. As the road is signal free the travellers can cover the distance in a short time, he said.