In Whitefield, BMRCL to build road before rail
It will widen roads around ITPB to ensure smooth flow of traffic before commencing work on Baiyappanahalli-Whitefield route
Techies working in and aroundInternational Tech Park (ITPB) have often complained of ‘road lag’. Just getting to work, they say, is exhausting and an ordeal. Traffic police, in a study they conducted, say the areas around ITPB are some of the most congested. Taking 90 minutes to cover a 4km stretch is not unusual, they say. But soon, the commute is likely to get better.
In a victory of sorts for office-goers and residents in and around Whitefield, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) will widen existing roads before beginning work on the Baiyappanahalli-Whitefield route.BMRCL has announced that it will widen the four-km stretch between Jyothipuram and Mahadevapura before beginning construction work on the 15.5 km Namma Metro stretch connecting Baiyappanahalli and Whitefield. Work on the project is expected to commence shortly.
“We had several rounds of talks with people representing commerce and industries,” Pradeep Singh Kharola, BMRCL managing director, said. “They have asked us to expand existing roads before starting work. Our officials have identified a stretch in the ITPB area for expansion. We may need to acquire about 50 properties, but we have not identified the properties as yet.”
Kharola said BMRCL is putting in place a comprehensive plan to divert and streamline traffic in the area before commencement of the project. Traffic police say areas like Benniganahalli, MM Temple, Nu-lite junction, Lowry School junction, Garudacharyapalya, Doddanakundi IT/SEZ and other areas are perpetually congested.
“There are many bottlenecks surrounding Whitefield area,” M N Babu Rajendraprasad, DCP traffic (East), said. “At present, traffic moves at a speed less than 20kmph. A very comprehensive plan to monitor traffic will have to be put in place prior to the commencement of Metro work. We have not had any discussions as yet with BMRCL.”
WACIA had also pleaded with BMRCL to take the Metro underground in the area. But BMRCL has shot down that request. “Going underground is expensive and not financially feasible,” Kharola said. “We have assured representatives of commerce and industries association that we will minimise land acquisition in the area.” RN Hegde, president of WACIA, said, “There are many bottlenecks in the area and BMRCL will have to make sure normal life is not hit by the project.”
The Metro route will commence at the existing Baiyappanahalli station from the South of Bangalore – Chennai Railway line. It will cross Kasturinagar Road, the Outer Ring Road before touching Old Madras Road. The alignment runs along the median of Whitefield Road and Graphite India Road. From there it will touch Whitefield Satya Sai Ashram. The corridor has 14 stations, including KR Puram, Mahadevapura, Doddanakundi, Kundalahalli, ITPB, Kadugodi, Ujwala Vidyalaya and Whitefield.
Techies working in and around
In a victory of sorts for office-goers and residents in and around Whitefield, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) will widen existing roads before beginning work on the Baiyappanahalli-Whitefield route.
Although BMRCL’s assurance is a huge respite, motorists will have to endure the bottleneck at KR Puram railway station. The decision to widen roads before building the Metro is the result of intense pressure exerted by Whitefield Area Commerce and Industries Association (WACIA), IT Park honchos and residents.
“We had several rounds of talks with people representing commerce and industries,” Pradeep Singh Kharola, BMRCL managing director, said. “They have asked us to expand existing roads before starting work. Our officials have identified a stretch in the ITPB area for expansion. We may need to acquire about 50 properties, but we have not identified the properties as yet.”
Kharola said BMRCL is putting in place a comprehensive plan to divert and streamline traffic in the area before commencement of the project. Traffic police say areas like Benniganahalli, MM Temple, Nu-lite junction, Lowry School junction, Garudacharyapalya, Doddanakundi IT/SEZ and other areas are perpetually congested.
“There are many bottlenecks surrounding Whitefield area,” M N Babu Rajendraprasad, DCP traffic (East), said. “At present, traffic moves at a speed less than 20kmph. A very comprehensive plan to monitor traffic will have to be put in place prior to the commencement of Metro work. We have not had any discussions as yet with BMRCL.”
WACIA had also pleaded with BMRCL to take the Metro underground in the area. But BMRCL has shot down that request. “Going underground is expensive and not financially feasible,” Kharola said. “We have assured representatives of commerce and industries association that we will minimise land acquisition in the area.” RN Hegde, president of WACIA, said, “There are many bottlenecks in the area and BMRCL will have to make sure normal life is not hit by the project.”
The Metro route will commence at the existing Baiyappanahalli station from the South of Bangalore – Chennai Railway line. It will cross Kasturinagar Road, the Outer Ring Road before touching Old Madras Road. The alignment runs along the median of Whitefield Road and Graphite India Road. From there it will touch Whitefield Satya Sai Ashram. The corridor has 14 stations, including KR Puram, Mahadevapura, Doddanakundi, Kundalahalli, ITPB, Kadugodi, Ujwala Vidyalaya and Whitefield.
