Bengaluru and traffic are a match made in hell! But this intersection is especially bad! During rush hour, the Bengaluru intersection near Hebbal is notoriously congested. A second subterranean road project is being planned in Bengaluru by the Karnataka government to alleviate traffic on this route. The construction of this new 2.2-kilometre-long, six-lane road along Ballari Road will connect Hebbal to the Veterinary College. Continue reading for more details.
This 2.2 km tunnel might just help with the traffic issues
Bengaluru will soon be the site of a second subterranean tunnel being planned by the Karnataka government. Along Ballari Road, it will link Hebbal to the Veterinary College. From Hebbal to Silk Board, the first one is now under construction. Already, excavation has begun on the first tunnel. The new tunnel is set to commence at the Hebbal flyover intersection, next to the statue of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda. After emerging at the Veterinary College grounds, it will go under Tumakuru Road at the Outer Ring Road intersection. The connection to the main roadway of Ballari Road will be completed at last. Officials are also going to expand Ballari Road, which is close to the Veterinary College, to make sure everything runs properly.
How can this 2.2 km underground tunnel help traffic?
The Hebbal flyover will see less traffic as a result of this new project. Additionally, it would expedite the connection between Kempegowda International Airport and Mehkri Circle. The workers will dig a hole, build the tunnel within, and then fill it up to cover the surface while they create this new tunnel. A "cut and cover method" will be their shorthand. Utilisation of boring machinery is strictly prohibited. Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Limited (BSMILE) Director (Technical), BS Prahalad, said that they would not need to buy any property because of the tunnel's design. The wide area on the veterinary college campus will suffice. For traffic heading to the airport, there will be an entrance to the new tunnel next to the Veterinary College campus; for traffic heading from the airport to Mekhri Circle, there will be another entrance.
Where will this new tunnel be?
Starting at the Hebbal flyover intersection, next to the tree park's Nadaprabhu Kempegowda monument, the tunnel will proceed beneath Tumakuru Road, then emerge at the Veterinary College grounds, at the Outer Ring Road junction. Thereafter, it will connect to Ballari Road's major roadway. The cut-and-cover technique will be used to create the road. This entails creating the tunnel within an excavated trench, then filling it and restoring the surface. In this project, tunnel boring machinery will not be used. The director (technical) of Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Limited (BSMILE), BS Prahalad, said that the Veterinary College campus's open areas would be used for the tunnel alignment, with the intention of avoiding land acquisition. They will restore these places once the work is complete. The initiative would primarily benefit residents of Sanjaynagar, Ganganagar, and RT Nagar, among others. He also stressed that this tunnel path does not intersect in any way with the Hebbal-Silk Board corridor. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has indicated that the next cabinet meeting will discuss the suggestion.
What are some other initiatives being taken to help Bengaluru traffic?
The Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) have taken a hard line against businesses that are supposed to be doing municipal works but are either late with them or have abandoned them altogether in an effort to reduce traffic and make commuting easier. Public works contractors and utility companies will be sent letters by the BTP threatening legal action unless they do the overdue road repairs within one week.
Major traffic jams at important intersections and arterial roads in the city are caused by unfinished or extended civic works, such as road digging for drainage, cable laying, and utility repairs, according to Karthik Reddy, Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic, who examined the traffic situation shortly after assuming the position.
Mr. Reddy informed the reporters that several businesses have received notifications for doing municipal work without proper authorisation from the Traffic Department or other civic bodies. He emphasised that the Traffic Department has given these firms a week to complete it or face legal consequences. He went on to say that these businesses were creating traffic difficulties in the city and taking too long to do the job; therefore, the Traffic Department would suggest that the municipal authorities put them on a blacklist.
Commuters were forced to manoeuvre through dust, uneven surfaces, and congestion after many contractors failed to rebuild the roads, according to a police officer from the east division. As a result, we had no choice but to take this measure. With the monsoon rains exacerbating the problem, the decision has been a relief for drivers. As an additional source of delays, the police have pushed for greater coordination and the elimination of overlapping tasks among municipal authorities such as the BBMP and BWSSB.