NHAI approached for Intermediate ring road

Bangalore, Jun 6: The Centre will favourably consider Karnataka's proposal to build a 250 km intermediate ring road around Bangalore to ease traffic congestion in Greater Bangalore, Union Minsiter for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, T R Baalu, said today.

Talking to newsmen, after a review of various National Highway projects in the State along with Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, he said that he had directed the National Highway Authority of India to comne out with a Detailed Project Report (DPR). Once the DPR is ready Union cabinet's approval would be sought for the road, he added.

He however said that there was need for the State government to go in for Metro rail in an active way as most of the national highways converging into the city have reached saturation point.

Referring to the delay caused by Indian Railways Consultancy Organisation (IRCON) in providing connectivity to the Mangalore Airport, he said that the Ministry had taken up the delay seriously and if there was any further delay, the contract would be cancelled.

The State among other things sought the Cetnre to start work on Bijapur-Hospet highway road. He said the NHAI had been asked to prepare the DPR for the project.

Referring to various underpasses sought by the State government on the national highway linking Devanahalli and Bangalore, he said that these projects would be taken up during the implementation of the National Highway project phase seven for which the plan was being drafted currently. The State had delayed approach to the Centre for the project and expressed inability to complete the work before the new International Airport at Devanahalli was thrown open for traffic next year.

UNI