Yeddy's city dreams

Yeddy's city dreams
By: Chetan R
Date: 2008-08-18

Bangalore:

City planners have prepared a detailed plan to construct a downtown right here within Bangalore with an elevated highway.

Consortia of infrastructure engineers have prepared the plan which will be tabled before the CM in a couple of days. Downtowns will be constructed in 'New Bangalore Township' in Bangalore (West).

"The new Bangalore Township project is planned according to the CM's vision. After interacting with various government departments including the one under him on infrastructure in Bangalore, our consortia has come out with this plan," said M N Shrihari, CEO, consortia of infrastructure engineers.

Downtown

An area of 200 sq kilometres has been set aside for this project. This will be in addition to existing Bruhat Bangalore which is about 740 sq kilometers. The proposal recommends acquisition of land by the state government.

The area earmarked for the township is the stretch between Tumkur Road -Bangalore Road and Mysore road-Bangalore Road. This will also involve points at Magadi road and Kunigal road.

Downtowns will be constructed on either sides of the elevated highway in a ramp format.

Houses and government offices are planned inside the down towns. Local service providers will ensure basic services such as water and power supply.

Spine roads that run in spiral shape will be constructed inside the township. Public transport service on this elevated highway will keep people in downtown connected to other points of the city.

Public transport

"Only public transport system would be permitted in proposed township. This plan is modelled on two Malaysian townships which are supported by an elevated highway. The project will avoid congestion and solve infrastructure bottlenecks, " said Shrihari.

As government offices are in periphery, outward movement will be more than that of inward, which will decongest roads," he said.

Capacity

Each downtown will be constructed in an area of 10 sq kilometer. This will accommodate about 10 lakh people.

The plan aims at horizontal growth of the city. It initially plans to construct 20 downtowns under the new Bangalore Township project.

"City development is what we are serious about. We will go through this plan and take it further," said R Ashok, Bangalore district in-charge minister.