Bengaluru: Kempegowda Layout connectivity to get a boost

Bengaluru: BDA approved the draft project report for "Development of Major Arterial Road (MAR) of phase 1 in Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout costing Rs 351.64 crore, based on Schedule of Rates of 2015-16.

The 10.77 km long MAR will touch Magadi Road at a distance of 0.5 to 1 km, NICE Road will run parallel to the MAR at a distance of 1 km, the Bangalore-Mysore State Highway and the city of Bangalore, by the Kumbalgod Industrial Estate and the old Bangalore-Mysore State Highway. MAR will be accessible from the Magadi Road and Bengaluru-Mysuru State Highway.

The width of the development corridor of the MAR is 100 metres, consisting of the main carriageway of 23 metres, including median of 3 metres width, park area of 27.5 metres on each side of the MAR, service road of 7 metres on each side, two-metre wide cycle tracks on each side and two-metres wide foot path on each side. Thus, the MAR is very strategically located in as much it provides well needed connectivity by running through the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout and accessibility from Magadi road and Mysore Road. The MAR also cuts through the proposed BMRCL Depot at Challaghatta village through four tunnels. The three-metre wide median has been provided in MAR to facilitate Metro connectivity to the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout in future.

Thus, while preparing the DPR itself, the reasons for increase in the cost of MAR as compared to NHAI standards had been analysed. The cost per km for Part A - Site clearance, Embankment, Pavement and Footpath worked out to Rs 9.37 crore, which was lower compared to Rs 9.42 crore as per NHAI standards.

The increase of Rs 15.65 crore in DPR cost per km was mainly on account of increased width of the bridges and culverts (100 m), additional provision for utility duct and construction of 2.04 km long tunnel along the alignment of MAR. These items are unique to the MAR as such items do not form part of the normal road work. Thus, it will not be appropriate to comment on the cost per Km of MAR without understanding the scope of MAR and its various components. Based on the DPR approved for the work, e-tenders were invited and the details of the tender accepted by the Authority are as follows:

Real estate boom
Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout seeks to develop 35,179 sites for allotment to the general public as well as to the land losers in lieu of cash compensation. In addition, there are 12 villages on the periphery of the said Layout. BDA has earmarked 450 acres for vertical development in Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout.

Three housing projects already taken up by BDA over an area of 15 acres will make available 1,120 numbers of 3BHK/2BHK flats for allotment to the general public. MAR will enhance the connectivity for these projects.

Another housing project in the pipeline over an area of eight acres is expected to create another 560 flats for allotment. Thus, the scope for group housing is very huge in Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout. Consequent upon formation of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout, many private layouts have already come up on the lands in and around the Layout. The scope for group housing and plotted development in the areas surrounding the Layout is thus quite huge.