HC flags green for work on Rajajinagar corridor

HC flags green for work on Rajajinagar corridor

Construction activities for the signal-free stretch will now be taken up along with the Namma Metro project

Odeal D'Souza. Bangalore



The High Court of Karnataka on Monday gave the green signal for the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to continue with its work on implementing a signal-free corridor in Rajajinagar along side the ongoing Metro work.
Samarpana, an NGO, had filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the high court, contending that simultaneous execution of both the projects would put residents of Rajajinagar to hardship. While Metro work was already on in West of Chord Road and Mahakavi Kuvempu Road, construction of six underpasses in the adjacent roads would only add to traffic snarls.
Based on an affidavit filed by the Palike giving details of the execution of the project, a division bench headed by Justice V Gopala Gowda disposed of the PIL.
Justice Gowda, who analysed the sketches on traffic management produced by the BBMP, said that the court would not interfere in the matter as the project was being taken up in the larger interest of the public.
The corridor between Okalipuram and Yeshwantpur will have five underpasses on Dr Rajkumar Road at Vivekananda College Junction; 10th Cross Junction, Rajajinagar I Block; Navrang Junction; Bridgestone Junction and III Block Junction near Prakashnagar. The sixth will come up at Okalipuram railway bridge.
The BBMP said that it would require approximately a week's time to complete each underpass as it would be using pre-cast RCC segments, popularly known as magic boxes. As the allied work like construction of the retaining walls and approach ramps would require about four months' time, traffic would be allowed to move over the RCC segment during this period.
The petitioner's advocate, GR Mohan, requested the court to place the matter before the Karnataka Legal Services Authority as the Lok Adalat is already hearing a road widening case. However, Justice Gowda refused to do so as the case before him was not an issue pertaining to road widening at all.
The respondent's advocate, Subramanya R, argued that the Palike has taken all steps to ensure that the residents are not put to hardship. He also said that the petitioners cannot stall developmental activities.
The Rajajinagar corridor project will be taken up in two phases. In the first phase, underpasses will come up at Okalipuram Junction, Vivekananda College Junction and 10th Cross Road Junction at a cost of Rs13.46 crore. Work on the remaining three underpasses will be taken up under Phase II.