Flyover ready, walkway missing

Flyover ready, walkway missing

The flyover at Wheeler's Road has been all set for an inauguaration for over a month now

Sunitha Rao R. Bangalore



The 750-meter long flyover at Wheeler's Road is finally complete, bringing a sigh of relief from residents of Cookes Town, Frazer Town and Cox Town. However, pedestrians are a worried lot as there is no pathway constructed for them to cross the railway line.
But what has been irking the residents is the fact that the flyover was completed a month ago, and
yet it has not been thrown open to motorists.
"The public is being taken for a ride by government agencies. It was supposed to be completed and inaugurated last month itself. But politicians and government agencies have been causing unnecessary delays right from day one of the construction work," said KP Abraham, president, Residents' Welfare Association, Bangalore East.
A Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) official also confirmed that: "Apart from minor works, the flyover was completed a month ago. We are only carrying out the utility shifting works on the service road below the flyover."
Once open, the flyover will help over 35,000 motorists from the northern parts of Bangalore, especially Frazer Town, with an easy commute to the city.
However, with the flyover still closed for motorists, the underpass near Frazer town police station is much used, leading to traffic chaos everyday.
Speaking to DNA, NS Ravi, president, Cox Town Residents' Welfare Association, said, "This is the most delayed flyover work in the city. Traders at Frazer town and Doddagunte have been affected for the past three years. We at least require a good road with proper parking facilities here. The service road below the flyover must be completed first, or we won't allow the inauguration of the flyover. We will hold a protest soon to enforce the quick fixing of the road," said Ravi.
However, BBMP officials said that the service road here is filled with utility connections of BWSSB, BESCOM, and telephones lines just 8 inches below the ground. "They must at least be three to four feet underground. It is difficult make a road in this lane, but we are trying to set right the connections," said a senior BBMP official.
Speaking to DNA, KJ George, MLA, Sarvajnanagar said that the flyover will be opened in 15 days.
This flyover, costing Rs15 crore, has been jointly funded by the BBMP and the South Western Railways, and runs 7.5 meters above the railway tracks of Bangalore East at the highest point.
However, the cost of shifting utility cables and pipes would be an additional expenditure solely borne by the BBMP.
"There are also plans to construct railway overbridges at Lingarajapuram and Banasawadi. BBMP has deposited Rs1.25 crore with the Southern Railways for this work," George said.