PM Modi sought representation, Karnataka DCM tells council
BENGALURU: Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Bengaluru on Sunday, asked him to give a representation on the Tunnel Road Project, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday informed the Council that the PM was impressed by the Ragigudda Double Decker Project and gave a go-ahead.
Now, the state government will come up with a 44 km-long double-decker project for Bengaluru, and both BBMP and BMRCL will share the cost on a 50:50 ratio basis, he said.
Replying to a question by BJP MLC CT Ravi, the Bengaluru development minister shared details of the Tunnel Road Project and its feasibility. “The PM said India is seen through Bengaluru, hence, we asked him for cooperation for the Tunnel Road Project. The PM asked me for a representation, and he assured that he would look into it,” the DCM said.
He added that about 25 years ago, when he was urban development minister, Bengaluru’s population was 70 lakh, which has now touched 1.40 crore. Vehicles number 1.23 crore.
The city has 25 lakh software engineers, compared to 13 lakh in California. “To ease traffic, the Tunnel Road Project, Double-Decker Project, and roads in the Buffer Zone are being planned for the city,” he stated.
Further, he said Union minister Nitin Gadkari was informed about the traffic situation, and he suggested to visit Mumbai and study the situation there. “After a study of 1.6 years, we decided to go ahead with the Tunnel Road Project,” he reiterated.
“Judges, officials and citizens from around Hebbal take 45 minutes to reach Vidhana Soudha and its surroundings. Hence, we invited a global tender on the Build, Own, Operate and Transfer model. The state government will fund 40 per cent, and the chosen agency will invest 60 per cent. The government has allocated Rs 800 crore for land acquisition, and most of the land for the project falls under government departments, except St John’s Hospital. The land will be acquired,” the DCM said, adding that he was ready for any inquiry if there is any wrongdoing.
The DCM further added that the tunnel can accommodate three vehicles, along with an additional vehicle, during emergencies, while its construction will cost Rs 770 crore per km.
On a question related to land acquisition for the Peripheral Ring Road (PRR), the DCM said Rs 27,000 crore is needed for it. With 5,000 houses located near Gottigere, a part of the PRR, action to be taken is yet to be decided.