More than a decade after it was first mooted, the BBMP has resurrected its proposal to construct a flyover linking J.C. Road to Kasturba Road as a solution to ease congestion on the thoroughfare. J.C. Road is a crucial link for residents of southern parts of the city to reach the Central Business District area.
A Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) official who confirmed the development, told The Hindu that they are firming up the proposal for the flyover, which will be submitted to the government for approval. “The project proposal was revived following requests from elected representatives and citizens,” said a senior civic official.
At present it takes nearly 20 minutes for motorists to cross the 1.5-km stretch which has signals at Minerva Circle, Ravindra Kalakshetra, Town Hall, LIC of India, Halasuru Gate police station, Hudson Circle and Corporation Circle. The proposed 1.7-km long flyover will help motorists cross J.C. Road and reach Kasturba Road or K.G Road through Minerva Circle in less than five minutes.
Officials said that it was yet to be decided if the flyover would be steel, concrete or a composite (combination of steel and concrete) structure. As per initial estimates, the project may cost between ₹180 crore and ₹200 crore, funding for which many come from the Chief Minister’s Nava Nagarothana scheme. Under the scheme, ₹6,000 crore has already been earmarked for various initiatives including ₹3,500 crore for stormwater drains and road improvement works.
The flyover on this stretch was first proposed in 2009-10 at a cost of ₹135 crore. When it failed to take off, the project was included in the BBMP’s 2014-15 Budget to be funded under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. A tender was finally floated in 2018, but the project was dropped as the Karnataka Road Development Corporation Ltd. proposed the elevated corridor. A flyover loop had been included covering J.C. Road and Minerva Circle as part of the KRDCL project.
Widespread opposition from citizens as well as inflated bids received for the tender were some of the other reasons why the flyover never took off. At the time, the then civic chief had sought permission from the Urban Development Department and diverted funds allocated for the project to solid waste management.
