World-class roads only by next December

November 25, 2013

TNN |

BANGALORE: The upgradation of selected roads under Tender SURE ( Specification for Urban Road Execution) is a welcome move for citizens fed up with potholed stretches. However, they may have to wait till December 2014 for some activity on the ground.

BBMP commissioner M Lakshminarayana on Saturday said under the first phase of Tender SURE, Chennai-based NAPC Ltd has got the contract to take up seven roads. “It’s expected to complete them by December-end 2014. These are Museum Road, Cunningham Road, Commissariat Road, St Mark’s Road, Mallya Hospital Road, Residency Road and Richmond Road,” he added.

On the sidelines of an interaction on ‘Transforming Bangalore with Tender SURE’ organised by Jana Urban Space Foundation, the BBMP chief said they need at least Rs 600 crore to develop all 45 roads selected under the project. These roads promise long durability compared to existing asphalted roads. Also, these roads will have uniform footpaths, utility ducts, cycle tracks, bus bays, parking space and dedicated hawkers’ zone, he added.

Roads for better life

Swati Ramanathan, chairperson, Jana Urban Space Foundation said that getting road rights was the starting point of addressing the quality of life. “Tender SURE takes a holistic approach to road design and it’s all about getting the urban road right,” she added.

Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, also president B.PAC, said Tender SURE roads will lead to better inter-agency coordination and avoiding constant rework as service providers are enrolled as stakeholders to achieve a consensus on the final design.

Roads and money

BBMP chief M Lakshminarayana said the state government has granted Rs 200 crore, of which Rs 100 crore has been released for road development. “But it costs much more. It’s expected to be more than Rs 600 crore for 45 roads. It’ll take another three years to complete all these 45 roads. BBMP has to bear the rest of the expenses. For this reason, we’re taking these roads in a phased manner,” he added.

Lakshminarayana said in the second phase, 11 roads have been identified and tenders for them have been floated. These include JC Road, KH Road, Nrupatunga Road, KG Road, Church Street, Commercial Street, Jayanagar 11{+t}{+h} Main, Basaveshwaranagar Main Road, Raja Ram Mohan Roy Road etc, he said.

Source-http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com