Metal flyover to smoothen drive to Kempegowda International Airport

BENGALURU: In an attempt to decongest busy Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) Road and to connect NH 7 from Outer Ring Road at Hebbal junction, the BDA has taken up two ambitious projects — a two-lane flyover by altering the existing Hebbal flyover and a metal flyover from Chalukya circle to Hebbal flyover. While the altering and building of Hebbal flyover is expected to cost Rs 74 crore, the metal flyover would cost Rs 1,200 crore.

The BDA has also plans to construct a uni-directional underpass beneath Hebbal flyover, connecting ORR towards Tumkur Road. BDA Commissioner T. Sham Bhat told Deccan Chronicle that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the construction of metal flyover has been prepared by the STUP consultants and the same has been finalised. Since the BDA has no knowledge on the rate for steel it has sought the details from the Public Works Department (PWD).

Once the rates are inalized and approved the BDA would float tenders with two years including monsoon period. The BDA has also proposed to dismantle the magic box underpass at Cauvery Junction and near BDA head office to pave way for elevated corridor. The magic box underpass and overpasses pose hindrance to the proposed elevated corridor project.

These magic box underpasses would have to be demolished for effective utilisation of the space, Bhat said. To ensure the seamless traffic the Hebbal flyover would be altered. A
portion of the existing flyover would have to be demolished or altered to add two more lanes. Initially, the BDA wanted to commission the project under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). Now, it wants to float the tender to spend its own fund and to get financial assistance from the state government, BDA sources said.

Traffic to be hit during construction

Traffic flow on busy KIA and Outer Ring Road (ORR) would be affected during the construction of flyover and underpass at the Hebbal junction. Movement of vehicles will be affected at the foot of Hebbal flyover on KIA road and beneath the flyover on ORR. Those going to Kempegowda International Airport would have to brace for traffic snarls.