PRR on track, BDA claims

PRR on track, BDA claims
BY CHANDRASHEKAR G.
BENGALURU


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The construction of the ambitious 116-km Peripheral Ring Road has finally been handed back to the BDA by the National Highway Authority of India.

The BDA has made an assurance that it will complete the project soon.

BDA commissioner H.

Siddaiah told this newspaper that the state government decided to retain the project following technical differences between the BDA and the NHAI on executing it. There were differences about the width of the road and facilities to be provided.

Originally, the project had been planned for an eight-lane carriage way with service roads. The roads were to be 100 metres wide, which the NHAI had agreed to.

However, the NHAI did a U-turn and said it would build only six lanes with no service road with a width of 60 metres.

The 65-km PRR first phase links Tumkur Road with Hosur Road via Bellary Road, Old Madras Road and Sarjapur Road.

It also connects Doddaballapur Road and provides for seamless connectivity to the airport, said Mr Siddaiah.

The project has been conceived to provide smooth flow of traffic. If the original specifications are changed, the purpose of the PRR would be defeated. The NHAI has also refused to provide grade separators and pedestrian underpasses wherever required, he said.

“Land acquisition for the first phase is in its final stage. The BDA has already notified 1,800 acres of land. The land acquisition cost alone is Rs 600 crore for the first phase. Total cost of the project is Rs 3,000 crore,” Mr Siddaiah said.

The second phase stretches 51 km, connecting Bengaluru South to the West. Preliminary notification land acquisition for this phase is underway.

This stretch intersects Kanakapura Road, Mysore Road and Magadi Road.