NHAI draws up plan for two more elevated roads

NHAI draws up plan for two more elevated roads

T.S. Ranganna

They will connect four major flyovers in Bangalore

One expressway will link Hosur Road flyover and Hebbal flyover on NH 7

The other will connect Krishnarajapuram flyover to Nelamangala flyover on NH 4


Bangalore: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has come up with a plan to build two six-lane elevated expressways connecting the northern and southern parts and the eastern and western parts of Bangalore. This will help ease traffic jams at the intersections of highways and important thoroughfares in Bangalore and on the main roads linking them at various points.
To link flyovers

Union Minister of State for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways K.H. Muniyappa told The Hindu that one expressway will connect the Hosur Road flyover at the Central Silk Board junction to the Hebbal flyover on National Highway No. 7. The other will connect the Krishnarajapuram flyover to the Nelamangala flyover on National Highway No. 4.
Rs. 2,000-cr. project

Since Yeshwantpur is an important centre with considerable traffic flow, the elevated expressway between Krishnarajapuram and Nelamangala will pass through the area. The project will cost Rs. 2,000 crore.

The two expressways, the Minister said, would reduce travel time as well as pollution, as it would be an almost non-stop drive from one end to the other, with one or two crossings. While the expressway between the Hosur Road and Hebbal flyovers would be 22 km, the one between Nelamangala and Krishnarajapuram would be 23 km.

Mr. Muniyappa said that he had discussed the matter with Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, and he had shown interest in implementing the project. The NHAI would issue a no-objection certificate to the State Government if it consented to the proposal. If the State Government did not take up the expressway project, the NHAI itself would build it, he said.

On the slow progress of the Golden Quadrilateral project in the State, Mr. Muniyappa said that 800 km had been taken up during the National Democratic Alliance Government’s tenure, whereas the United Progressive Alliance Government had started work on 668 km, investing Rs. 3,500 crore.
Survey ordered

A survey on another stretch of 860 km had been ordered and the detailed project report was being prepared.

The work would be started immediately after the survey report was submitted to the NHAI, he said.