Roads over drains to ease traffic

Roads over drains to ease traffic
BY CHANDRASHEKAR G.
BENGALURU







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Confronted with growing traffic, the BBMP has decided to increase the city’s road network by at least 13.5 km. But instead of widening the roads by demolishing buildings on either side, the civic agency will this time build the roads over drains, reveals BBMP chief engineer (stormwater drains) Chikkarayappa.

The project could be one of the most expensive the city has seen as each kilometer could cost up to Rs 60 crore to build. The proposal, which has received in principle approval by the Agenda for Bengaluru Infrastructure Development (ABIDe) Task Force will soon be sent to the government for clearance, Mr Chikkarayappa adds. “To begin with the BBMP has identified two stretches of drains for building roads on. They are between Double Road and Koramangala stretching over 5.5 km and from Rajiv Gandhi Circle near Seshadripuram to the Gali Anjaneya Temple on Mysore Road covering a distance of 8 km,” he adds.

The idea is to allow commuters from Seshadripuram to reach Gali Anjaneya Temple without going through the congested Majestic area, he explains.

A detailed project report (DPR) has been prepared by Subhash Projects Marketing Ltd (SPML) for the stretch between Double Road and Koramangala and placed before the BBMP’s technical advisory committee for its approval. With the completion of this ambitious project, commuters may be able to travel between Double Road and Koramangala in just 10 minutes.

A detailed plan is being drawn up to build roads over drains on more stretches in the city. Elevated roads will be built to ensure smooth flow of traffic and columns will be laid on the beds of storm water drains to allow smooth flow of drain water.

The drains will be strengthened with reinforcements and retaining walls before the roads are constructed over them. The primary drains identified are at least 7 meters wide which is considered adequate to accommodate two-carriageway roads.

“Roads over drains serve two purposes. They decongest roads and prevent dumping of garbage in drains. So besides improving the look of the city, this will also check breeding of mosquitoes,” the officer explains.