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Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Varthur requires Metro transit, say Bengaluru residents as officials push for flyover
Bengaluru: What most residents of Varthur area want is a mass transit solution, but Karnataka Road Development Corporation Ltd (KRDCL) is moving forward with the construction of a flyover. Locals say Metro connectivity suits the area's growing population more than a flyover. At present, KRDCL has taken up road-widening work on the SH-35 (state highway) from Varthur to Gunjur, covering 1.9km. The road will be expanded from 30 metres to 100 metres in width. Alongside this, the corporation has proposed building a flyover from Vinayaka Theatre to Varthur lake. However, residents are opposing the plan, questioning the need for a flyover over such a short stretch. While the total cost of the project is Rs 482 crore, around Rs 190 crore is being spent just on the flyover. Although the chief secretary recently visited the site and asked officials to consider Metro connectivity, residents claim that despite the matter still being under discussion, pillars for the flyover have already started coming up near Varthur lake. They also allege that the work began before land acquisition was completed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Nueva oportunidad en Miami para inversionistas con $300,000 dólares Financiación Empresarial Más información Undo Residents say the project, aimed at easing traffic congestion, is flawed both technically and socially. One of the primary concerns is the lack of community engagement. "Not a single public consultation has been held. Stakeholders, including landowners, small traders, and displaced residents, have had no voice," rued a resident. BMRCL has already proposed a feasibility study for a 68km Metro line running from Kalena Agrahara – Bannerghatta National Park – Jigani – Anekal – Attibele – Sarjapur – Varthur – Kadugodi Tree Park. The study is said to be completed. Gangadhar BM, president of Varthur Nagararika Hita Rakshana Vedike, said: "The flyover is just for a very short stretch, but so much money is being spent. A lot of people commute through this stretch to reach IT parks. The road is filled with cars because of poor public transport. If we get a Metro instead of a flyover, it will be helpful — half of the traffic and pollution will be reduced. But I don't know who is making these plans. No govt officials or engineers are listening to us, nor are they using their brains." "We are tired of writing letters, including to the chief minister, deputy chief minister, chief secretary, KRDCL, BBMP and BMRCL. We haven't received a single response. Now we can see the flyover works slowly starting, even without completing land acquisition... Such unplanned developments cannot be entertained." Susheelamma N, the new MD of KRDCL, said: "There are a lot of hurdles and complications with land acquisition here. I have visited the area and will try to get things moving. I'm not sure about the Metro proposal as we didn't get any response from BMRCL about it. If the Metro comes on this stretch, we'll write to the govt and proceed accordingly."
New Indian Express
15-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Railways to fully fund 55 RoBs as Kerala Government fails to share costs
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Southern Railway has announced that it will bear the entire cost of constructing 55 Rail Over Bridges (RoBs) in the state, overriding the usual 50:50 cost-sharing arrangement with the state government. The decision comes in the wake of state's inability to release its agreed share of funds, which has caused years of delay in executing several major infrastructure projects to replace busy level-crossings. A total of 126 ROBs were originally sanctioned in the state on a cost-sharing basis. However, due to the state government's failure to provide its portion of the funds, most of these projects have remained languishing, despite their importance for public safety and smoother transportation. Southern Railway has identified 55 of the most vital ROBs and decided to fund them fully in public interest. These include busy level crossings at several high-traffic areas across the state, such as LC No. 69A between Edappally and Ernakulam North, LC No. 28 between Pudukad and Irinjalakuda in Thrissur, LC No. 558 between Kappil and Varkala Sivagiri in Thiruvananthapuram, LC No. 230 between Thalassery and Etakkot in Kannur, and LC No. 567 between Kadakkavur and Murukkampuzha in Kollam. The execution of these ROBs has been entrusted to the Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd (KRDCL), a joint venture of the state government and the Ministry of Railways. However, the projects are yet to take off due to a range of issues, including non-approval of project plans, delays in land acquisition, and pending contract finalisations.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Southern Railway to fully fund 55 road overbridges in state
T'puram: will fully fund the construction of road overbridges at 55 level crossings as the state govt is unable to provide a 50% share of the cost. Road overbridges to eliminate level crossings are funded by the railways and the state govts on a 50:50 cost-sharing 55 ROBs were delayed because of the inability of the state govt to share the cost. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In a statement, Southern Railway said the novel initiative dispensing with the mandatory requirement of 50% funding from the state govt was taken to prioritise ROBs are critical projects that will be executed by (KRDCL). Some of the busy level crossings that are part of the 55 include two between Pudukad and Irinjalakuda stations, one each between Edapally and Ernakulam North railway station, between Kappil and Varkala Sivagiri stations, between Vallathol Nagar and Wadakkanchery stations, between Kadakkavur and Murukkampuzha stations, between Thalassery and Etakkot stations and one near Lakidi railway station in Palakkad. "Out of the 55 ROBs identified for 100% funding by railway so far, the state govt was able to finalise the plans and process land acquisition only on 18 , which were promptly re-sanctioned by railway with 100% funding. Funds to the tune of Rs 95 crore were already transferred to the state towards their land cost. These 18 ROBs need to be completed by KRDCL within 18 months," said the plan approval and land acquisition for the remaining 37 ROBs agreed for 100% funding by railway are long awaited from the state govt. These include level crossings between Vallathol Nagar and Wadakancherry stations, between Angamaly and Aluva stations, between Thalassery and Mahe stations, between Poonkunam and Thrissur stations, between Irinjalakuda and Chalakudy stations, between Angadipuram and Vaniyambalam stations, between Turavur and Cherthala stations and between Ambalapuzha and Haripad addition to the 55 ROBs, there are 65 ROBs sanctioned on busy level crossings, which are also held up for years either due to the non-availability of funds with the state or due to non-approval of plans and failure to acquire the land.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Southern Railway to fully fund construction of 55 road overbridges in Kerala to improve safety
T'puram: Southern Railway will fully fund the construction of road overbridges at 55 level crossings as the state govt is unable to provide a 50% share of the cost. Road overbridges to eliminate level crossings are funded by the railways and the state govts on a 50:50 cost-sharing 55 ROBs were delayed because of the inability of the state govt to share the cost. In a statement, Southern Railway said the novel initiative dispensing with the mandatory requirement of 50% funding from the state govt was taken to prioritise ROBs are critical projects that will be executed by Kerala Road Development Corporation Ltd (KRDCL). Some of the busy level crossings that are part of the 55 include two between Pudukad and Irinjalakuda stations, one each between Edapally and Ernakulam North railway station, between Kappil and Varkala Sivagiri stations, between Vallathol Nagar and Wadakkanchery stations, between Kadakkavur and Murukkampuzha stations, between Thalassery and Etakkot stations and one near Lakidi railway station in Palakkad. "Out of the 55 ROBs identified for 100% funding by railway so far, the state govt was able to finalise the plans and process land acquisition only on 18 , which were promptly re-sanctioned by railway with 100% funding. Funds to the tune of Rs 95 crore were already transferred to the state towards their land cost. These 18 ROBs need to be completed by KRDCL within 18 months," said the plan approval and land acquisition for the remaining 37 ROBs agreed for 100% funding by railway are long awaited from the state govt. These include level crossings between Vallathol Nagar and Wadakancherry stations, between Angamaly and Aluva stations, between Thalassery and Mahe stations, between Poonkunam and Thrissur stations, between Irinjalakuda and Chalakudy stations, between Angadipuram and Vaniyambalam stations, between Turavur and Cherthala stations and between Ambalapuzha and Haripad addition to the 55 ROBs, there are 65 ROBs sanctioned on busy level crossings, which are also held up for years either due to the non-availability of funds with the state or due to non-approval of plans and failure to acquire the land.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Time of India
Miraculous escape for Bengaluru couple as 10-tonne illegal hoarding falls on SUV
Bengaluru: They will never forget the drive back home as it turned into a near-death experience in the blink of an eye: As rain pounded their car windshield, the couple headed to their apartment with the speedometer barely touching 20 kmph when a massive illegal hoarding — over 10 tonnes of metal — came crashing from above and crushed the front end of their SUV. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "In a split second, it was chaos all over. My heart was pounding and we looked at each other in disbelief. At the same time, we were relieved to have survived," said 41-year-old Salil Kumar, a private company employee and resident of Prestige Tranquilty Apartment on Budigere Road in eastern part of the city. Salil was returning home in his Mahindra XUV 700 (registration number — KA01 ND 6096) from KR Pura along with wife Archana, an IT sector employee, when the illegal hoarding slammed onto their SUV around 7.30pm Thursday near Bommanahalli on the alternative route to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). The couple's narrow escape is more than a miracle — it is a pointer to the dangers lurking on Bengaluru roads. "The husband-wife duo got lucky and they escaped unhurt," said police officers who were part of the rescue and road-clearance operations. Recounting the incident, Salil said: "We were hardly 15 to 20 metres away from the apartment entrance and I focused on the road as it was raining. The hoarding, spread from one side of the road to another for over 50 feet, was not supported by a pillar in the middle, but only at both the ends. We were shocked and traumatised, and when we tried to come out of the vehicle, the front doors had got jammed. However, a few people and fellow motorists helped us get out of the SUV from the back door." The hoarding was reportedly erected a few years ago without obtaining permission or seeking design clearances. Soon after the incident, a resident sent a complaint to the CM, DCM, BBMP commissioner, police and others concerned, seeking immediate removal of illegal hoardings. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now As for Salil's SUV, the company's service-centre representatives described the damage as a major one. In fact, Hoskote traffic police too struggled to clear the road. With traffic coming to a halt, cops had to summon heavy-duty cranes to remove the metal while diverting vehicles to alternative routes. The road was cleared for traffic only around 9pm. Based on Kumar's complaint, cops registered a case against the person owning the hoarding. They are trying to ascertain how such a massive hoarding was allowed to be installed on the road, which belongs to Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL). We haven't given permission: KRDCL According to KRDCL officials, hoardings erected on the road are illegal, including the one that collapsed Thursday night. "We have not given permission to anyone," assistant executive engineer Kavitha BN said. "There are many illegal hoardings on NH-04, connecting the 21.5km Budigere Road to KIA. Persons concerned claim they have taken permission from the panchayat, who don't have any powers to issue the same. These hoardings are dangerous for motorists."
