ROB open for only 30 mins

ROB open for only 30 mins
BY CHANDRASHEKAR G
BENGALURU


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The road over bridge at Mathikere which the BJP government hurried to inaugurate to mark its 100 days in power, was closed to the public 30 minutes after it was thrown open by Chief Minister Yeddyurappa on Tuesday. Scores of people who wanted to enjoy riding over the new bridge were disappointed as they were turned away.
The ROB was closed for public use as it has not yet been completed. Some houses still have to be vacated in its vicinity and work like asphalting and painting of the parapet walls has not yet been done, BBMP sources said. It would take at least 20 days to complete the work, they added.

The Rs 17.4 crore bridge is a joint venture of the BBMP and the Railways and is expected to provide smooth flow of traffic from BEL main road to Outer Ring Road (ORR) and the Bengaluru International Airport Road.

“What was the need to inaugurate an incomplete bridge? Or the government should have directed the BBMP and railways to complete it before September 9,” said Dakshin Murthy R, a resident of Mathikere.

“If projects are inaugurated without completing them, their quality could suffer. The asphalt and concrete at the entrances of the ROB has not been set,” said Mukunda M, another resident.

Much later in the evening traffic was allowed on the road under public pressure. Also, in violation of Mr Yeddyurappa's directions to political parties not to deface public places with hoardings and advertisements, the road overbridge was decked with posters and cutouts of BJP legislators wishing Mr Yeddyurappa on completing 100 days in power as chief minister.

The road under-bridges and overbridges are being executed in the city by the Railways at the request of the BBMP, which bears the cost. Three such road under and overbridges were proposed in 2004 and work on them , including the one at Matthikere, began in 2005.

The ITC factory road under-bridge which was supposed to be completed by end of 2007 is now supposed to open in December 2008. The Railways claim the delay is due to problems with the contractors, who are demanding they be paid taking cost escalation into account.