More than two months after two persons, including a college student, were killed by a speeding tanker at Kempapura junction, near Esteem Mall on Ballari Road, a memorandum of understanding will be signed on May 20 for the construction of a skywalk.
Accident
On February 26, a speeding water tanker jumped the signal at the junction, hit a motorcycle and pedestrians crossing the road. Anand (25), who was riding pillion on a bike, and Arpita Janardhan (17), a student of nearby Sindhi College who was crossing the road, were crushed to death while four others were injured. Sources in the BBMP told The Hindu that following the gruesome accident, there is demand for a skywalk at the spot, which is termed “dangerous”.
The skywalk proposal was finalised on Monday after several rounds of discussions between National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), city traffic police, BBMP and representatives of Columbia Asia Hospital. BBMP administrator T.M. Vijay Bhaskar said that the skywalk would have ramps as well as elevators.
Design
Sources said, “The detailed project report and design are ready and will be submitted to the BBMP’s Road Infrastructure Department soon for approval. Once approved, the skywalk will be constructed by Columbia Asia Hospital. It will be completed in 120 days.”
Cost
Sources added that while the entire cost of construction would be borne by Columbia Asia, the BBMP would be responsible for its upkeep.
Ahead of the construction, the NHAI will take up shifting of utilities. It will also control advertisement rights on the proposed skywalk, sources said.
Skywalk to have
both ramps and elevators
