Road-cum-rail bridge to ease Silk Board Junction congestion

Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) and Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) have planned a road-cum-rail flyover to reduce traffic congestion at the Central Silk Board (CSB) junction. The project also includes the CSB station of Namma Metro Phase-2.

Unveiling a miniature model of the fllyover on Thursday, Bengaluru Development Minister K J George told reporters that the project will cost Rs 900 crore, of which Rs 800 crore will be borne by BMRCL while the BDA will provide the remaining Rs 100 crore.

The present Silk Board flyover has failed to meet demands of increased flow of traffic. Traffic from key places in four directions — Koramangala, Electronics City, Jayanagar and HSR Layout — flows through the junction.

“The Silk Board junction has become a bottleneck. In addition to the heavy traffic, there are three signals. The new project will ease traffic flow as the flyover provides seamless traffic movement,” the minister said.

He said the stretch from BTM Layout Circle to Silk Board will be signal-free.

The project also includes the CSB interchange station of the Namma Metro Phase-2. The work on Phase-2 that connects Baiyappanahalli to Whitefield and RV Road to Bommasandra via Silk Board will be expedited. Looking at the model on display, George asked officials whether the project demands felling of trees. The officials answered in the negative.

DPR prepared

The detailed project report for the 18-km KR Puram-Silk Board stretch has been prepared. The CSB flyover will be implemented as part of this project, the minister said.

BMRCL managing director Pradeep Singh Kharola said the state government has already approved the Namma Metro Phase-2 and tenders have been prepared. The detailed project report for Phase-2A has also been prepared and the state Cabinet is expected to approve the decision within a month.

“We will start working on the project once we get the government approval,” he said. He said the CSB junction flyover will establish Metro’s east-south connection, which will be of great help to people.

George said a meeting on the suburban rail network plan will be held with Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on January 16.

He said Rs 9,000 crore is required for the suburban rail system and Rs 2,500 will be invested in the first phase. At present, we have prepared a Rs 360-crore plan, he said.

He said the plan includes converting the 12-coach Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) running on Mandya, Bangarpet, Gauribidanur routes to Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU).

Metro to airport
George said a Metro service can be provided to the airport to decongest roads. “We have identified nine routes and invited people to give their opinions. We will come to a decision after discussions with Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha on Friday,” he said.