After missing several deadlines, the C.N.R. Rao underpass connecting Malleswaram with Yeshwantpur at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) junction is now open to motorists. The formal inauguration will take place later. However, the link over the underpass that will connect Malleswaram and Mekhri Circle will be ready only after a month.
On Thursday, both carriageways of the underpass were thrown open for traffic as part of a trial run. The completion of the project, which was taken up on on January 21, 2010, was delayed well beyond its deadline of September 2011 and was the cause of inconvenience to motorists. According to sources in the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the inordinate delay was due to the internal conflict between the project’s two contractors — Madhava Hytech and East Coast Constructions and Industries Ltd. (ECCI). Eventually, the BBMP divided the work among the two contractors. Even after that there were delays after workers hit a rocky patch. The project was delayed further owing to labour problems.
Sources said the deadline for completion of the underpass had been revised at least five times. Former city in-charge Minister R. Ashok and former mayors had even threatened to blacklist the contractors if the work was not completed on a war footing.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had also inspected the work and directed the BBMP to ensure that the work was completed by December, 2013.
A sources in the civic body said, “We have sought time from the Chief Minister to inaugurate the underpass. Once he gives us a date, the schedule for inauguration will be announced.”
