More flyovers to ease traffic chaos on Outer Ring Road

More flyovers to ease traffic chaos on Outer Ring Road

Chief Minister sanctions Rs450 cr for the project

Bosky Khanna. Bangalore



To ease the traffic congestion on Outer Ring Road, the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) will now construct underpasses and flyovers between Hebbal flyover and Kanteevara Studio junction.
Chief minister BS Yeddyurappa sanctioned Rs450 crore for this project on Wednesday last.
The BDA has identified six junctions for road improvement work. They are Hebbal flyover junction, Tumkur Road junction, Jalahalli Railway Crossing junction, BEL Circle junction, Kuvempu junction at Bhadrappa Layout, and Kanteevara Studio junction.
The BDA's original plan was to construct a tunnel, the longest in Bangalore, from Hebbal flyover to Kanteevara Studio junction. But it was shelved due to financial and geographical constraints.
The cost of constructing a kilometre-long tunnel will cost about Rs200-300 crore. To make the tunnel, BDA will have to dig over 30 metres deep. The tunnel will also demand 24-hour power supply.
The present project faces a bottleneck at Jalahalli Railway level crossing. The road running through the air force land is quite narrow. Adjacent to it stands the high tension laboratory belonging to the Centre Machine Tools Industry. These agencies will not part with their land due to security reasons.
"So to ease traffic congestion, we decided to construct a flyover and widen the existing road. For this, talks are on with South Western Railway officials," BDA commissioner Siddaiah said.
To make ORR signal-free on Tumkur Road, a 450-metre deviation will be taken. This road will run by the side of the air force land and adjacent to the high tension line and join the ORR on the other side of Tumkur Road. On Tumkur Road, an underpass will also be made.
"What work has been done between Hebbal flyover and Central Silk Board junction will be repeated on this stretch from Hebbal flyover to Kanteevara Studio. This is possible with a budget outlay of Rs 400-450 crore," Siddaiah said.
Preparations for the detailed project report are under way and will be completed in two months.
Surveys are being undertaken to identify the possible locations of the underpasses and flyovers.