The work in the additional loop for the high passage of Hebbal must be completed before April 30 and will open for the public in May 2025, said the principal vice minister and the Minister of Development of Bengaluru, DK Shivakumar.
Underground step in orr
Speaking at a press conference here on Thursday after inspecting the elevated step along with the heads of multiple civic agencies, Mr. Shivakumar said the government has approved an underground step on the outdoor ring road (ORR) from GORANGUNTALYA to KR to KR Puram under the Hebbal steering wheel. “Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation LTD (BMRCL), the Bangalore (BDA) and Indian Railways authority have to work together on the project. The additional loop for the high passage of Hebbal and the underground step will relieve traffic at this cross, ”he said.
He also inspected other traffic bottlenecks, including the crosses of Goraguuntepalya, Suemanahalli and Nayandahalli, and said: “We have discussed certain solutions to relieve congestion at these crosses, which include tunnel roads, underground steps and flods. He wanted to perform an inspection of spots, ”he said, adding that agencies have been asked to renew the lighting in the city.
Double high cubes
He also said that all additional subway stretches will be planned as two high floors, a road and a subway line, and the costs will be shared by BMRCL and Bruhat Bengaluru MahanaGara Palike (BBMP) alike. “The city is expanding and needs more infrastructure. But building new roads or expanding existing roads is a Herculean task, since the cost of land acquisition is very large, which makes it unfeasible, ”said Shivakumar.
In addition, he said that the ads will be allowed in Metropolitan pillars under the new advertising policy that will be presented soon and BBMP and BMRCL will share advertising income alike, since the pillar is built by BMRCL and the place is owned by BBMP.
When questioned about the proposed review of Metropolitan Rates, Mr. Sivakumar said the state government had no role in fixing metropolitan rates and an autonomous committee will decide on the revision of the rate.
Water rate review
Meanwhile, the minister said that the Bangalore supply and sewerage board (BWSSB) had presented a proposal for a tariff walk and that a final decision will be made after discussing the same in the cabinet. “Almost 14 years have passed since the water rate was checked in the city. BWSSB suffers a loss of almost ₹ 1000 million rupees every year and a tariff review is the need for the time, ”he said, refusing to reveal what the proposed increase is.
Published – February 6, 2025 07:11 PM IST
By
