The three-km stretch of National Highway 206 between Ashoka Circle to Alkola Circle here is all set to become a ‘smart road’ under the Smart City Project.
The Union Ministry of Urban Development has directed Shivamogga City Corporation to develop this road into international standards.
After the city was selected for the second phase of Smart City Project of the Ministry, a Special Purpose Vehicle was formed comprising officials of the corporation, Union and State governments for implementation of the works under the project. The development of Ashoka Circle-Alkola Circle stretch is the first work taken up in the city limits under the project.
The width of this road would be extended from the existing 10 m to 30 m with median of 1.5 m width. In addition to this, the road will have paved shoulder measuring 3.5 m, drainage measuring 1 m, pedestrian path of 2 m width, bicycle track of 2 m width and 3 m space for drawing public utility lines that includes telephone cables, electricity lines and drinking water supply pipeline on either sides. This road will be converted into a four lane to ensure seamless vehicular movement.
₹2.4 crore earmarked
The interlocking concrete blocks of attractive colours will be laid on the pavement shoulder and the footpath. The beautification and landscaping work would be undertaken at two junctions — Inspection Bungalow Circle and B. Krishnappa Circle that are part of this stretch. The corporation has earmarked ₹2.4 crore that was sanctioned under third phase of Nagarothana or Chief Minister’s Small and Medium Towns Development Project for the purpose.
The sensor based smart streetlights and traffic signals that can be controlled from a remote location will be put up here. The stretch would be made free of overhead power lines that will be replaced by underground power cables. The corporation had directed the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Sewage Board to replace mild steel drinking pipelines that pass through this road with asbestos cement pipes to avoid damage that may be caused to the road surface due to leakage of pipes.
Deputy Commissioner M. Lokesh said the objective behind ‘smart road’ work is to bring an aesthetic look to the road and ensure hassle-free vehicular movement here. The work implemented along Ashoka Circle-Alkola Circle should become a model that can be replicated, he said.
