TNN

Bangalore, Feb 13: For the traffic-weary, here is some cheering news. To reduce traffic congestion and travel time in Bangalore, the authorities have planned to build three elevated high-density corridors (road-over-roads) stretching 21 km. But wait. The much-hyped Rs 800-crore tunnel road proposed between Minsk Square and Hebbal flyover may give way to one corridor.

BDA commissioner M K Shankarlinge Gowda told TOI: “If the BBMP takes up the proposed elevated corridor from Minsk Square to Hebbal flyover, there will be no need for a tunnel road on the stretch. Moreover, a tunnel road project is time-consuming and a costly affair.’’

The corridors have been planned between Minsk Square and Hebbal flyover — covering 7.9 km; Kodihalli, off Airport Road, to Kundalahalli junction — covering 7.2 km; and Silk Board junction to Vellara junction, covering 5.9 km. These four-lane corridors will decongest North, East and Central parts of Bangalore and improve connectivity to the international airport and IT firms in Whitefield. The corridors will be access-controlled to ensure free movement.

A BBMP engineer said: “Anybody using the corridor will have to pay. The width of the road below won’t be altered and motorists can use it without paying a fee.’’ The IDEB-Shanghai Urban Construction Group consortium has shown interest in the project and submitted a detailed project report to the BBMP.

Based on the proposal, BBMP commissioner S Subramanya conducted a spot survey of the alignment of the three corridors. However, the BBMP has to acquire land at the entry and exit points. Utilities too have to be shifted to raise piers. The consortium has promised to execute the work using the Swiss Challenge method.