Grade Separator: For four years there is always a 'new' problem

Nayandahalli Junction -ORR Road – Hosakerehalli Kerekodi Junction Grade Separator

For four years there is always a 'new' problem

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

 Bengaluru: The work on flyovers and underpasses, which were supposed to facilitate smooth traffic, has been progressing at a slow pace for years. Neither the government nor the BBMP has taken action to speed up these works, which have further contributed to the vehicular traffic, which is a hindrance to traffic.

 Delay in bill payment is said to be the main reason behind the slow pace of work on flyovers and underpasses. Apart from this, there are many local problems which are not being solved by the authorities. Citizens are constantly torn between the engineers and the contractors blaming each other. They are asking when the work will end.

 The then and present Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister had seen these works many times during their ``Nagar Pradakshina'' and had advised them to speed up the works. However, even though the years are rolling by, only the works have not reached the stage of completion.

 It has been four years since the work of grade separator started on ORR near Mysore road- Nayandahalli junction. This grade separator is designed to enable signalless traffic on OR Road and free flow towards Hoskerehalli Kodi Road and Girinagar. The work which was supposed to be completed in 15 months has not been completed by 50%.

 PJP Engineers is carrying out the work of 'Hosakerehalli Kerekodi Road Junction Grade Separator' which is being managed by Road Infrastructure Department of BBMP Rajarajeshwari Nagar Zone under the Chief Minister's New Urban Development Grant.

 Due to the grade separator work at the Hosakerehalli Kerekodi road junction, which is adjacent to the Nice Link Road, the residents of Hosakerehalli, Bangarappanagar, Mookambikenagar, Pramoda Layout, Girinagar, Ganapatinagar, Avalahalli areas have no access road to the area. A barricade has been built around the grade separator work, and there is a lot of complaints on the one-way road and one has to take a U-turn. 

Those coming from Nayandahalli junction have to take U-turn till PES University to go towards Hoskerehalli. Those coming from Girinagar side should also proceed to the left and take a U-turn. Those coming from Hoskerehalli side should take a turn at Nayandahalli junction on the lower road in the middle of the elevated road. Due to this, there is daily traffic here.

 The work of the grade separator has also reduced the surrounding business. As there is always traffic on the road, people cannot come to the shops. Manoj, a trader, said that there is no footpath and pedestrians are suffering.

 NARROW road

 Dropping and fetching children to school is becoming a lot of problem every day. To go from Girinagar to Hosahalli Kerekodi road, we have to go round and round for three years. The roads adjacent to the grade separator are very narrow and there is heavy traffic. Rammanohar, a resident of Girinagar, said that no matter how early they leave home, children reach school late.

 Waste of 20 minutes

 They have been troubling us for years that they will make the outer ring road signal free. Although four or five pillars have been standing for years, the work has not continued. It takes a lot of time to cross this junction every day. Raju, a resident of Nayandahalli expressed sadness that 20 to 30 minutes are wasted here even during peak hours.

•  ₹30 crore; Grade Separator Cost
•  ₹9.62 crore; Bill payment for work
•  2020 August 7; Mandate to Contractor
•  15 months; The deadline given to complete the work