Bengaluru: The work on the much awaited 102.4 km long elevated corridor, that is expected to help decongest the city, is all set to begin by January next year.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting to review the project, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said it required acquisition of 92 acres of land , including 17 acres of private land and if everything went according to plan, it would be completed by 2021. The project is expected to cost around '25,495 crore.
Giving details of the corridor, he said the elevated roads would be six lane on government land and two- lane on private properties. The elevated corridor would be built 11 meters from the ground. The North-South Corridor between Hebbal and Central Silk Board would be 26.89 kms long and the East-West Corridor connecting K R Puram and Gurugunte Palya would be 20.95 kms long. The East-West Corridor 2 would connect Varthur Kodi with Mysuru Road.
The government had already invited objections from the public and the last date for filing them had been extended. “Even if private parties and environmentalists have any objections, we will sit with them across the table and resolve the issues. We want the project execution to be smooth and transparent,” he assured.
Responding to a question, Mr Kumaraswamy admitted that around 3700 trees would have to be cut for the project. But he claimed some would be relocated on 100 acres of land meant for a park in the Kempegowda layout and the loss of the others would be compensated by a tree planting programme.
On the NICE project, he said many deviations had been made from the original Frame Of Agreement in execution of the project and the legislature committee had looked into this. “The government has now sought the opinion of the Chief Secretary in the matter,” he explained.
