This story is from March 4, 2019

Protests on, government fast-tracks Bengaluru elevated corridor plan

Protests on, government fast-tracks Bengaluru elevated corridor plan
Representative image
BENGALURU: Even as citizen activists have red-flagged the Rs 26,000-crore elevated corridor project, the Karnataka government has reiterated its commitment to the plan by inviting bids for a key section of the 102km project.
Documents accessed by TOI show the Karnataka Road Development Corporation Ltd (KRDCL), the implementing agency, has invited bids for the construction of 22km north-south corridor connecting Hebbal flyover and Central Silk Board junction through Mehkri circle, JC Nagar, Shantinagar and Bannerghatta Road junction.

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The Karnataka cabinet, at a meeting on February 25, had left the decision on the project to the chief minister. Sources said the CM recently gave the go-ahead for the project, following which bids were invited. “With the Lok Sabha election schedule expected to be announced soon, there’s little chance the project will see any action. However, the CM was keen on floating tenders since the project is seen as one of the government’s flagship projects to address the city’s infrastructure,” a source said.
3,700 trees likely to be cut or translocated to pave way for elevated corridor project
Despite protests, the government has decided to go ahead with the elevated corridor project. The Karnataka Road Development Corporation Ltd has taken up the north-south corridor under Phase 1, and will implement it in three packages. The corridor has 2 to 6 lanes.
“Construction period for each package is three years and the company that bags the contract must maintain infrastructure for 10 years. North-south corridor bids will be opened on May 6. Bids for the two east-west corridors and other connecting corridors will be called in the coming months,” said a KRDCL officer.
The CM had, in his budget, committed ₹1,000 cr in initial funding for the project. The north-south corridor alone will cost more than ₹5,060 cr. Many citizen activists said the government is not pushing for mass transport systems. The project calls for axing or translocating 3,700 trees.
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