Setting the ball rolling for the proposed signal-free corridor from Vellara Junction to Hope Farm Junction, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Monday for facilitating the right of use of land for the corridor.
HAL has handed over 3,100 sq.m. to the BBMP for the 17.5-km signal-free corridor.
According to a press release, the MoU was signed by Shekhar Shrivastava, Chief Executive Officer (Bangalore complex), HAL, and BBMP Commissioner N. Manjunatha Prasad. T. Suvarna Raju, CMD, HAL, was present.
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No compensation
BBMP sources said that the signal-free corridor, estimated to cost ₹109.5 crore, is being constructed with funds from the Nagarothana scheme.
HAL has not sought any compensation for handing over the land and has instead asked the civic body to develop 1.7 km of Wind Tunnel Road (between Old Airport Road and Bellandur).
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Three underpasses will be coming up on this signal-free corridor at Suranjan Das Road junction, Wind Tunnel junction and Kundalahalli junction.
While ISRO and NAL had already handed over the required land for the proposed underpass at Wind Tunnel junction, the BBMP has almost completed the land acquisition process at Kundalahalli junction. “We have acquired 19 of the 22 properties identified at the junction. Compensation will be paid to the remaining property-owners,” a source said.
Expected completion
Sources added that the pre-cast elements for all the three underpasses are ready. “It will take around five months for the underpasses to be completed,” a source claimed and stated that the city police had accorded permission to take up the work after diversion of traffic.
Mr. Raju, in the release, said that decongestion of traffic on Old Airport Road was the need of the hour and HAL was contributing in terms of giving the required land for the benefit of both HAL and the general public.