Bengaluru

The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has begun construction on a 1.74-km elevated corridor at Mehkri Circle in Bengaluru, and traffic restrictions are already in effect around the site.

This is moving ahead even though several technical and land-related questions about the project have not yet been settled, according to the BDA's own responses.

The project is estimated to cost Rs 725 crore, of which Rs 170 crore has been set aside for land acquisition. The BDA said the main elevated structure is planned along the existing Ballari Road corridor, but extra land may still be needed for approach roads, ramps, rotary connections and junction improvements.

The authority said exact locations, survey numbers, the amount of land involved and compensation details would only be confirmed once the approved land acquisition schedule and sanctioned estimate are finalised.

There is also an open question about whether the elevated corridor could clash with Namma Metro's proposed Red Line. The BDA said pier locations, foundations and structural clearances for the corridor need to be checked against BMRCL's alignment drawings, with design changes to be worked out with BMRCL if required, subject to technical feasibility and approval. Final confirmation that there is no interference would depend on approved drawings and BMRCL's technical clearance.

Starting construction before land requirements and metro-corridor clearance are fully worked out leaves open the possibility of later changes to the project's footprint, cost or design.

A Detailed Project Report is said by the BDA to exist, but it is not public, and the authority's own answers suggest some technical aspects are still being examined rather than finalised.

The BDA asked the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) on September 16 to carry out an independent scientific traffic impact assessment covering both the elevated corridor and the metro project together, treating them as one integrated corridor.

IISc submitted its formal proposal for this study on October 21, suggesting a three-month study period. The BDA said this proposal is still going through administrative and financial approval, even as construction work on the elevated corridor continues.