Metro-BDA clash leaves motorists fuming

Metro-BDA clash leaves motorists fuming

The underpass project is behind schedule by 18 months and is likely to be delayed further

Bosky Khanna. Bangalore

DELAYED PROJECT: Work on the underpass at the intersection of Magadi Road and West of Chord Road junction (left and above) will be delayed by 41 monthsBosky Khanna. Bangalore
An ongoing tussle between the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) and the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) over their respective projects clashing at the intersection of Magadi Road and West of Chord Road junction is causing hardships for commuters.
The project has been delayed by 18 months and is likely to get delayed by another 41 months. This only means more problems for the commuters. The Magadi Road-West of Chord Road underpass project, which was started by the BDA, was to have been completed in May 2007. This project was approved on June 28, 2003 and the construction started in May 2006. The four-lane carriage way of 530.35 metres in length is yet to be completed.
BDA officials say the 18 months' delay was the result of the Metro rail project, which intersects with the under pass at the intersection of Magadi Road junction and West of Chord Road junction.
The initial cost of the underpass project was estimated to be Rs31.86 crore. This was later revised to Rs2,450 crore. The contract for construction was awarded to ECCI Limited, which recently came under the Lokayukta scanner. The project was also delayed owing to the increase in traffic on the stretch.
According to BDA engineer-member TN Nanjundappa, the project will be completed by end of February. The project was being delayed as it intersects with Metro Rail at the Magadi Road junction. The underpass work towards Yeshwanthpur has been completed as there is no Metro work, but work towards Vijaynagar will take longer.
"Metro is planning to erect 11 spheres to construct the elevated rail link, which is delaying the project. The foundation for 10 spheres has been laid. Of this, two spheres have been constructed above the ground level. Once the Metro work towards Vijayanagar is over, the underpass work will also be completed," he added.
The BDA has completed two, one-lane carriage ways towards Yeshwanthpur. The underpass, which is ready, has not been thrown open to the public as its other end is yet to be completed.
But according to BMRCL chief public relations officer BLY Chavan, Metro Rail construction from Mysore Road to Magadi Road via Vijayanagar will start in April 2009 as it is part of Reach 2 and is likely to be completed in August 2012.
"The BMRCL has not put up any boards at the construction site explaining that it is Metro's project. It is for the BDA to complete the project on time and not blame the Metro. Each time there are delays in infrastructural projects, the Metro is blamed," he said.
While Metro officials say that they were yet to call for tenders on that stretch, BDA officials said that the BMRCL has spent Rs600 lakhs for purchasing and erecting the spheres alone and the work was in progress.