Signal-free drive in city still just a dream

Signal-free drive in city still just a dream
BBMP administrator Vijay Bhaskar has now suggested posting of one assistant executive engineer exclusively for land acquisition to expedite the work as the deadline of February 2016 looms large



The techies’ dream of a hassle-free drive to ITPB and Marathalli will remain a dream for some more time as the signal-free-corridor project is stuck in the transfer of development rights (TDR) mess.
Though the project is being executed on Old Airport Road, it is unlikely that motorists will travel signal free here. The project is supposed to be completed by February 2016, but a delay is very likely. Three grade separators on the 17-kilometre stretch may not get completed in time because of delay in adopting TDR. The entire project costs Rs 109.50 crore.
Executive engineer at the traffic engineering cell Basavaraj Kabade explained that the owners of properties adjacent to the roads are not coming forward to accept the TDR as land compensation. “Out of the 32 applications given to the land owners, only three have come forward to accept the TDR,” he said. Interestingly, not just private properties, even land belonging to government agencies like HAL, NAL and other central government agencies also need to be acquired. Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) administrator TM Vijay Bhaskar informed Bangalore Mirror that he has instructed a special commissioner to conduct a ‘TDR Mela’ to infuse confidence in the minds of owners of lands adjacent to signal-free corridors.
Bhaskar has also instructed his offices to post one assistant executive engineer exclusively for land acquisition and to expedite issues relating to taking over of land from government agencies. “For accurate monitoring of work, the entire corridor work is split into six stretches. The slow progress is due to delay in the completion of works taken up by BWSSB, unseasonal rains, delay in land acquisition and delay in payment to contractors. Till June, around 37 per cent of the work is completed,” added Kabade.


Hassle-free commuting


Yemlur to Kundalahalli junction
The major work here is to restore BWSSB digging work, asphalting and improvement of footpaths and drain works. Civil works like footpath and drain works were not carried out due to the continuous sewage flow in storm water drains. BWSSB needs to take immediate action in the matter by connecting the UGD lines.

Kundalahalli to Varthur Kodi junction
On this stretch, the BWSSB has started UGD work from Varthur Kodi to Kundalahalli junction on the left-hand side but on the right-hand side, work has not started yet. BWSSB officials have assured that the work will be completed by July 31. Once this is over, the remaining work will be completed within two months.

ASC centre to Domlur
The contractor has taken up major works like footpath improvement and drain improvement. Laying of bituminous concrete is pending. DBM layer has been laid. It is assured that all civil works will be completed and the final layer of BC will be laid by July 31.

Domlur to Suranjandas Road
The drain improvement work is pending in this stretch while footpath work has started. Two underpasses, one at the Wind Tunnel Road junction and another at the Suranjandas Road junction, are proposed but due to delay in land acquisition, the work is yet to begin.

Varthur Kodi to Hope Farm junction
BWSSB work of laying the UGD pipeline is completed in this stretch. Restoration work on both sides of the road completed. Due to the movement of heavy vehicles and also due to road cutting by BWSSB, the road surface has deteriorated.

Suranjandas Road to Yemlur junction
Widening of the road has commenced. Construction of new drains and footpaths are almost complete and laying of cobblestones on footpaths is in progress. The DBM layer has been laid. The contractor has assured that civil works will be completed by July 31.



Slow progress

People have not come forward to adopt TDR and I have asked a special commissioner to conduct a TDR Mela, which will educate individuals on the scheme. By doing this, we can issue TDRs on the spot. To do this, the land acquisition process needs to be expedited. TM Vijay Bhaskar,BBMP administrator



The slow progress of the work is due to the lack of coordination between BBMP and BWSSB, and issues related to medians, footpath and other road geometrics. Even after many a meeting, the medians and footpaths are untouched. I am not satisfied with footpath, median and other drain works. RK Misra,TAC committee member


For the construction of the grade separator at Wind Tunnel Road junction, a majority of the land on the left-hand side belongs to NAL and ISRO who have principally agreed to give land against the TDR scheme. Further, 23 private properties are to be acquired. At the Suranjandas Road junction, the entire land needed belongs to HAL, which has agreed to give land by the end of July after getting approval from authorities. S Somashekhar chief engineer, Road Infrastructure
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