Why double toll?

Why double toll?
Author: Savie Karnel Date: 16 Jun 2008

Southern part of BDA’s proposed peripheral ring road is termed unnecessary as it is runs parallel to NICE road



ROAD TO CONFUSION: A map of the peripheral ring road proposed by BDA
Do we need two toll roads within three kilometres of each other? The BDA’s decision to build a peripheral ring road (PRR) has brought up this question.

BDA’s ring road runs parallel to the NICE road in the northern part of the city. “In the southern sector the PRR is just two to three kilometers away from the road constructed by Nandi Infrastructure.

NICE has already completed 39.8 km stretch of the road in the southern sector. Since both are on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis, it is a sheer duplication of work and serves no purpose.

Having two toll roads so close to each other is against any urban planning principle,” said B V Anand, town planner, NICE.

‘Use to full capacity’

Leo Saldanha, environmentalist, too opposes the idea of another toll road parallel to the NICE road. “Let us use the NICE road to its total strength first. If we feel the need for another road, then we can think of the PRR. I would suggest that the government take over the NICE road, and operate it.

There is no point in having two toll roads close to each other. Since both are toll roads, people will have to pay if they have to use either of them,” he said.

Wildlife at risk

Saldanha also feels that wildlife will be at risk with the PRR project. “The elephants are already facing problems, because of the NICE road. The road is built in the elephant corridor. If the PRR is built, more land of the elephant corridor will be lost,” he said.

Anand too says that the green belt should be saved. “If two roads are built, the green belt will be stuck between two major roads. There will be unauthorised development along the roadside, which will lead to the erosion of the green belt and will have a disastrous impact on the flora and fauna of this area. The government could use the money for the development of the arterial roads instead,” Saldanha said.