D.K. Shivakumar meets Nitin Gadkari, discusses Bengaluru city infrastructure projects
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday met Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and discussed projects related to Bengaluru city and Karnataka.
Mr. Shivakumar, who also holds the Bengaluru Development portfolio, discussed the 'ropeway buses' project and urged Mr. Gadkari to explore its feasibility as a sustainable urban transport option, said a press release.
Mr. Shivakumar urged Mr. Gadkati to take up work related to the upgradation of a road between Benagaluru and Kanakapura into six lanes and completion of a 7-km road linking the toll plaza at Kaggalipura on the outskirts of the city.
He demanded the Centre's aid for providing compensation for families whose land has been acquired for the Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR) connecting Dobbspet, Magadi, Ramanagara, and Harohalli. Though the work on the STRR started in 2009, compensation has not been paid, Mr. Shivakumar said in a petition to Mr. Gadkari.
He discussed a proposed 60-km tunnel road project that would connect east-west and north-south corridors in Bengaluru. The cost of the tunnel project has been estimated at ₹30,000 crore. The cost of the tunnel per km has been estimated at ₹500 crore. The project has been proposed to ease traffic congestion.
The tunnel project would connect NH 7 and NH 4 and ease traffic congestion in Bengaluru. The project would be taken up by both the Centre and Karnataka. Mr. Shivakumar urged the Union Minister to provide funds to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to execute the project.
Mr. Shivakumar also submitted proposals regarding elevated corridors in Bengaluru.
Mr. Shivakumar also held discussions with Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on projects of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd., which has been executing the metro rail project in the city. The government has submitted a proposal seeking the Centre's clearance for 44.65 km metro line under Phase 3, while the DRP is under preparation for another 37 km.
The Deputy Chief Minister held talks with Mr. Khattar also about waste management in the city. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) administrative officer Tushar Girinath, BBMP chief commissioner M. Maheshwara Rao and other State officials were present in the meeting.
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