Citizens pay the price for poor planning
In early 2013, during a HPC meeting, the alignment of the tracks was shifted to avoid taking the Metro line too close to Jayadeva Hospital.
The original plans for the RV Road-Electronics City and the Gottigere-Nagawara lines didn’t envisage the demolition of the Jayadeva Flyover. In early 2013, during a HPC meeting, the alignment of the tracks was shifted to avoid taking the Metro line too close to Jayadeva Hospital.
The flyover itself had been built back in 2005, by the BDA at a cost of Rs 21 crore to ease traffic around Bannerghatta Road. The cost estimate for a new flyover, however is now Rs 135 crore and is likely to go up further. The opportunity to save Jayadeva flyover has been given up the state and the Centre, due to poor planning. A precious six years have been lost after Ph-2 approval, and the extension of Ph-2 doesn’t seem to be in the pipeline in the near future at least. Going by BMRCL’s own track record, there will be a delay in completing the Jayadeva five-level flyover.
On account of the Reach-6 Metro line, traffic from Silk Board, Bannerghatta Road and Banashankari will be badly affected, resulting in increased traffic in residential areas. Traffic diversions are already in place at various areas, including Brigade Road – MG Road, another expected diversion at Vellara Junction and MICO Factory. This will result in utter chaos on Bannerghatta Road, Hosur Road and the Wilson Garden area. People will have to suffer for the next four years, if there is no alternative. Pollution levels will go up, the productivity of working people will be affected and a short spell of rain will send things spiralling out of control.
The BMRCL, GoK, BBMP, BWSSB and the Traffic Police department should work together closely over the next four years, even as the bridges are being reconstructed. The priority is to deploy a six-coach Metro with three-minute frequency on the North-South corridor, which must be taken up immediately. The BWSSB should also refrain from taking up major works of its own during this time. The widening of Bannerghatta Road is still incomplete and moving at snail’s pace, the resultant construction debris reducing the width of the carriage road. BBMP should complete roads where white-topping is ongoing and ensure that arterial roads are well-maintained. Parking on Bannerghatta Road, Banashankari Road and the Outer Ring Road should be banned, except for BMTC buses.
VVIPs should avoid taking Bannerghatta Road and Traffic police should not give any permission to hold big events around BTM Layout, Janagara, Wilson Garden & Koramanagal. Big IT companies around Banneraghatta should deploy company hired buses at very nominal cost & discourage Staff in bringing private vehicles. BMTC also to reschedule bus routes to enable less travel journey distance.. BMRCL can give big gift to city by completing the flyover work around Jayadeva junction within 3 Years.
The writer is a founding member Praja RAAG