Lack of land hits construction of bridges across railway lines

These bridges under and above the railway tracks (ROBs and RUBs) in Bangalore would have considerably eased traffic congestion on many trunk routes if they were in place.

However, the efforts by Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the South Western Railway (SWR) to put them in place are not yielding the desired results. The reason is non-availability of land either to construct the bridges or in some cases, to construct the approach roads.

Some of the level crossings where these bridges are proposed are crucial as they handle voluminous traffic and are located on prime roads.

Take the example of the level crossing at Allalasandra, which is located at the intersection of Yeshwanthpur-Yelahanka railway line and the old National Highway 7, which connects Yelahanka, Doddaballapur, Hindupur and beyond.

Even though more than half of the traffic moving via this level crossing has shifted to the newly laid four-lane National Highway 7 (towards Devanahalli), thousands of vehicles still continue to use this level crossing on their way to Yelahanka, New Town, Doddaballapur and beyond. With Yelahanka New Town and Doddaballapur Road developing fast in terms of residential layouts and industrial units, the road has been witnessing steady increase in the volume of traffic.

Pending

An ROB with two lanes of 7.5 m each, proposed at a cost of about Rs. 23 crore on cost-sharing basis between BBMP and SWR at this crossing, is pending for want of land. About 6,000 sq m of land is required to construct this ROB as well as the approach roads.

Another level crossing that requires an underbridge is at the intersection of Bangalore-Yelahanka railway line and Kodigehalli-Tindlu Main Road.

The Kodigehalli main road connects National Highway 7 with Vidyaranyapura and surrounding areas, including Yeshwanthpur and is being used as a short-cut route by many motorists. However, the narrow road and the frequent closure of the railway gate disrupts vehicular movement on this stretch.

A two-lane (7.5 m each) RUB, proposed on cost-sharing basis at an estimated cost of Rs. 20 crore is yet to be taken up for want of about 3,500 sq m of land.

One ROB at RPC Layout and Bapujinagar and another RUB at Bapujinagar across the Bangalore-Mysore Railway line are being delayed for want of about 5,000 sq m of land.

These bridges would have provided unhindered movement of traffic between Mysore Road and Vijayanagar and surrounding areas, besides decongesting Mysore Road.

Similarly, ROBs at Jakkur, Sarjapura, Byappanahalli and Hoodi and RUBs at Kengeri, Hejjala and Krishnarajapuram are also being delayed for want of land.

Sources in the SWR told The Hindu that work on the ROB at Jalahalli, proposed in partnership with the Bangalore Development Authority, and the one at Allalasandra proposed jointly with BBMP will commence soon with the available land.

The South Western Railway is hopeful of getting the remaining land during the progress of work.

Meanwhile, sources in BBMP said that the palike is making earnest efforts to acquire the land required for these structures.

“We are exploring the possibility of offering transferable development rights (TDR) at the initial stage. If the owners do not accept TDR, we will have to go for acquisition of land after paying guidance value as compensation,” the sources said.