Posted on 3rd January 2014 by Admin

BANGALORE: Two years and four months after work began on one of the most ambitious elevated corridors of the city, Bangaloreans have concrete proof that the promised 20-minute ride from Hebbal to the Kempegowda International Airport is not all gas.

After inspecting the first crucial 3.7-km section of the elevated expressway along Bellary Road, which was thrown open to the public on Wednesday, chief minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday asserted that the remaining two sections of the corridor will be ready in 15 days, and the 20-minute ride to the airport will be a reality later this month.

"Work on the Chikkajala flyover, Vidyanagar flyover and sections near Bagalur Cross will take 15 more days to be completed," he told reporters after inspecting progress on the Rs 680-crore upgradation work. Hurdles in land acquisition from the Indian Air Force on either side of the main road would be discussed with defence minister AK Antony, he added.

Imam - Chairman of Spice Estates adds that his layout near Vidya Nagar - Spice North Greens near Vidya Nagar will be benefitted by this expressway by reducing the travel time from Hebbal flyover to this layout in 10 minutes.

However, NHAI officials said they are going ahead with work without waiting for additional land to expand the service lanes near Chikkajala traffic police station, as the state home department was not ready to cede a piece of land from the police station compound at this junction.

CM Siddaramaiah, however, asked NHAI officials to exempt people living within a 25-km radius of the toll plaza from paying the toll. "Let airport-bound commuters pay the toll but exempt locals," he said, while inspecting work at Chikkajala.

Later, he told the media he would discuss the issue with Oscar Fernandes, Union minister for road transport and highways, particularly for those who've given up land for the project. Agriculture minister Krishna Byre Gowda agreed with the CM.

High road to Hebbal in the offing

CM Siddaramaiah announced that the BDA proposed to build another elevated road along Bellary Road from Windsor Manor junction to Hebbal to ease traffic flow to and from the international airport.

He said the BDA is studying the feasibility of the project.

Asked about the challenges at Cauvery theatre junction and Mehkri Circle, he said the BDA's technical team will have to find a way out.

While a lane is being added to Hebbal flyover towards the airport as part of the NH-7 upgradation project, there is a need to add another lane on the other side as well to ease congestion on the flyover, Siddaramaiah said. "I will speak to the Centre to get it done through NHAI. There are some difficulties and we are discussing them with the stakeholders," he said, after inspecting work at the flyover.

The glitch at Cauvery theatre junction is posed by a magic box underpass, while there's a grade separator at Mehkri Circle. While the grade separator has eased traffic woes in the area, the magic box underpass is under criticism because of waterlogging and slow-moving traffic.

NH-7 UPGRADATION PROJECT

• 22.12km: Hebbal Bachchalli railway gate beyond Trumpet Interchange to airport
• Work taken up by NHAI, contracted to Navayuga Engineering Company
• Includes: elevated road from Esteem Mall near Hebbal flyover to Kogilu Cross beyond Yelahanka (3.7km), 700m flyover at Vidyanagar, 500m flyover at Chikkajala, 4 underpasses en route, 3-lane service roads on either side along entire stretch, toll plaza at Sadahalli junction, 500m ahead of diversion to airport
• Work started in September 2010; first deadline was April 2013, extended to November-December 2013
• One lane added to Hebbal flyover towards airport
• Total width of road: 65m - elevated road and service roads
• No. of lanes: 18 -- 6-lane highway, 6-lane road beneath, 3-lane service road
• Main carriageway on elevated section and road beneath: 25.5m wide
• Service roads: 10.5m wide on each side
• Project cost: Rs 680 crore
• NHAI has paid Rs 450 crore compensation to revenue dept towards properties acquired

No cost escalation due to delay, as project was taken up on develop-build-operate-finance-transfer (DBOFT) model: Contractor bears loss, can make up by collecting toll over 20 years. After 20 years, toll collection will be handed over to NHAI. After 32 years, the project will be completely handed over to NHAI

Source: Times of India on 3rd January 2014