The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : The issues that may receive attention at public discussion

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 15, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

The issues that may receive attention at public discussion

Special Correspondent

Early completion of the Airport Road flyover is one issue that the BDA has to focus on, say some residents' associations

Bangalore: The public discussion on roadworks convened by the expert committee formed on the directions of the High Court, on Saturday is expected to discuss the priorities. There may be too many of them, as indicated by citizens' groups planning to attend the meeting.

An early completion of the Airport Road flyover, being built through the Uttar Pradesh State Bridges Corporation by the Bangalore Development Authority is an issue which the BMP will have to take up with its sister organisation, some residents' associations say.

Except for two smaller ramps from the Indiranagar side, work here has stalled for over three years due to various reasons, including a legal dispute between the contracted firm and the BDA.

The bottleneck here is created by traffic flowing on three directions: to and from the airport and beyond, those driving towards Indiranagar and vehicles going to the Ring Road to Koramangala. For many drivers, traffic conditions at this intersection are unpredictable; those who need to catch a flight mentally add 30 to 45 minutes to the normal travel time.

Even after the new international airport comes up at Devanahalli, this road junction will continue to be important.

Several new residential enclaves have come up beyond the present airport, around the Outer Ring Road and Marathahalli. The information technology belt of Whitefield lies further beyond. Traffic here will continue to increase even after the airport shifts.

Whether Mahatma Gandhi Road can contain the additional traffic generated by the new malls and those to come up and how the traffic pattern may be affected by the coming of the metro rail should be discussed, citizens feel.

The charm of the downtown central business district has not waned even after malls and multiplexes have come up elsewhere. A section of citizens is not against paid parking being brought back provided the BMP exerts better control over the contractors in charge of the parking lots.

In regard to multi-level parking already built and others to come up, traders in areas like Kempe Gowda Road would like a monthly rental system and the timings revised so that they can park their vehicles till closing hours for most businesses.

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