Bengaluru, Nov 9 (PTI) Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday defended the proposed tunnel road and elevated corridor near Mehkri Circle, saying alternative routes were necessary to ease Bengaluru’s traffic congestion.
Responding to a question from reporters, he said the opposition objected to everything the government proposed.
“Whether we build a tunnel road, the opposition objects; whether we construct an elevated corridor, they object. They always think negatively. To resolve Bengaluru’s traffic congestion, alternative routes must be created,” he said.
Shivakumar said Bengaluru would have to opt for either elevated roads or underground tunnels, and questioned whether existing roads could be widened by demolishing buildings.
He said he had asked the Defence Minister for defence land at a corner near Mehkri Circle to widen the road.
“If that land is made available, we can bring about a major change in the traffic system there. A rotary circle and ring system will be designed in the model of a circle within a circle. Provision will be made so that those heading left go left, and those heading right go right. Along with providing space for traffic on the upper level, tunnel roads will also be utilised where necessary,” he said.
The chief minister said traffic would not be halted completely at any point during the work, and the traffic police had already inspected the plan.
The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) Chairman had also inspected the site recently, he said, adding that he had visited the spot himself and asked officials to identify the stretches facing heavy congestion.
“During the construction work, only certain large vehicles and cargo vehicles will be temporarily restricted at specific times. Movement of other vehicles will not be stopped,” he said.
Alternative roads were being developed so that the public was not inconvenienced during the work, he said. “This will cost approximately Rs 9 crore. The BDA is already preparing to undertake the development of surrounding connecting roads,” he said.
Asked how the public would be taken into confidence, given that minor issues naturally arise during development works, Shivakumar said there was no need to convince those who opposed for the sake of opposing.
“It seems a section of people has decided to oppose whatever I do,” he said. He asked whether the BJP or the JD(S) had done any such development work when they were in power.
“It seems the opposition party’s only job is to oppose. Oppose development, oppose every single work. They are unable to tolerate the speed of our government’s development work,” he said.
The chief minister said he had recently inspected the tunnel road alignment from a helicopter.
“Near Lalbagh, where the tunnel road passes, there is a large crater, and there is a variation between the rocky area and the point where the tunnel exits. In light of this, officials have been directed to arrange an alternative plan so that no issues arise,” he said.
Asked whether the new project would be integrated with the existing elevated corridor or built separately, he said it would be a separate project.
“Both projects will function in their own ways. A separate system is being designed to maintain traffic speed and smooth vehicular movement,” he said.
Asked whether the next section of the elevated corridor would be connected to the tunnel road, he said there would be a provision to exit the tunnel road and proceed via the elevated road. “However, this is not a 16-kilometre-long tunnel road. That is a separate project. What is being proposed now is a short tunnel road,” he said.
“Keeping in mind the traffic congestion occurring in the Hebbal region, this short tunnel road project is being planned. Alternative connectivity is being provided so that after traffic flows smoothly in one area, congestion does not build up again in the next section,” he said.
(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)