TimesView Project delays have become the norm and, to an extent, quite expected. Better infrastructure is an indispensable prerequisite to speeding up a city’s development. Planning calls for more time and consideration but speedy construction is attainable. Delays and cost overruns have a wide ripple effect — they worsen road conditions, double citizens’ woes and stunt overall growth. Flyovers are a practical solution that can reduce traffic-heavy Bengaluru’s infrastructure lacuna. It's high time the authorities learnt to set practical deadlines, ensure alternative solutions to ease public's burden and complete work on time BENGALURU: Work on Shivananda Circle flyover, central Bengaluru, is likely to be delayed by at least six months. The project, expected to be completed by March 2019, is now facing hurdles in shifting underground utilities, especially w ater pipelines and drains.The project was conceived in 2013 to ease traffic flow on Race Course Road, Hare Krishna Road and Kumara Krupa Road. But it was put on the back burner due to paucity of funds. In 2016, then chief minister Siddaramaiah earmarked funds for the project, but it got caught in legal tangles after residents raised objections and went to court.The project was rebooted in January this year after the high court gave the green signal.“The project may be delayed by more than six months as shifting of underground utilities, especially pipelines and drains, will take more time,” a BBMP engineer said. The delay will force motorists, who already face a harrowing time while passing the area, to cope with the menace for some more time.BBMP engineers said they have held talks with the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to shift utilities at the earliest.BBMP chief engineer (projects) KT Nagaraj said: “Work on piers (pillars) is under way. There are water and sanitary pipelines near the Karnataka Judicial Academy, we’ve requested BWSSB to shift them. Other works are progressing as per schedule. We hope to open the flyover on time.”The length of the flyover has been increased from 163 to 168 metres. As per the earlier plan, the flyover had to end near the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce office, but now it will move a little ahead. Subsequently, the number of pillars increased from six to 16 for the composite steel flyover. Around 4,000 metric tonnes of steel will be required for the structure. The vertical slope has been decreased from 5.5% to 3.5%. This after the high court observed that it’d be easier for vehicles to get on to the flyover, said Nagaraj.The project does not face any land acquisition-related issues as the total space required has reduced from 1,500sqm to 717sqm following the court’s intervention. “The required land belongs to the BBMP. A major part of it falls in a park owned by the civic agency,” he added.

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