BENGALURU: After a gap of six years, the nearly three-decade-old Sirsi Circle flyover (officially the Balagangadharanatha Swamiji Flyover) is headed for a major maintenance exercise. The flyover, which has carried Bengaluru’s traffic over one of the city’s busiest junctions, will be completely resurfaced, including its ramps, with its bearings and expansion joints set to be renewed along with other upkeep works.
The maintenance proposal comes against the backdrop of the flyover’s deteriorating asphalt surface, instances of waterlogging during heavy rains, clogged drains and plants growing in the nooks and corners, besides other complaints from regular commuters.
The Bengaluru Central City Corporation (BCCC) is preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the work, which is expected to be ready by the end of September or early October. The civic body has earmarked Rs 9.6 crore for the project.
Speaking to TNIE, BCCC Chief Engineer Vijaykumar Haridas said the flyover was last asphalted and major maintenance works were undertaken in 2020, and the asphalt surface has since deteriorated and needs to be renewed.
The 2.65-km-long flyover, inaugurated in 1998, is among the city’s oldest flyovers and is a key link between central Bengaluru and the Mysuru Road corridor. Given its importance, the civic body has ruled out shutting the entire flyover at one go and plans to execute the works in phases.
“The DPR would be ready in a few weeks. Once it’s approved, the first work would be to mill the existing asphalt layer, following which fresh asphalt will be laid. All the existing expansion joints and bearings would be replaced. At some places, plants have grown; they will be removed. Cleaning and other allied maintenance works will also be taken up,” Haridas said.
The entire exercise is expected to take at least two months after the work commences. However, the flyover will not be completely shut at any point, with the civic body planning to keep one side open to traffic throughout the maintenance period.
Haridas said the phased approach is intended to minimise disruption on the busy corridor.