There seems be no light at the end of the tunnel for commuters going to Mehkri Circle from Malleswaram just yet. The construction of the C.N.R. Rao Circle underpass is far from complete.
The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) issued the work order for the project on May 21, 2008. The Rs. 31.14-crore project was finally taken up on January 21, 2010. It was to be completed within 10 months, but even three years later, work is still going on.
Last year, vehicles were finally allowed to pass along one side of the underpass connecting Mehkri Circle and Yeshwanthpur. The Malleswaram–Mehkri Circle stretch is yet to be opened to traffic.
Several deadlines have flown by, much to the chagrin of commuters. Now, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has issued a fresh deadline to the contractor and the BBMP’s chief engineer. If the work is not completed by December, the contactor will be blacklisted, which would prevent him from taking up any work in the State. Mr. Siddaramaiah also threatened to initiate disciplinary action against the chief engineer.
