Tough ride ahead for Bangaloreans to new airport

ROAD DELAY: Bangalore's new underpass was to be built in three days but took 33.

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Bangalore: Bangalore is all set to inaugurate its first underpass corridor at the Cuvery Junction to enhance connectivity to the new international airport.

A brainchild of the Bruhath Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, it is the first of seven underpasses planned to connect the city to the new inte

rnational airport, 40 kms away at Devenahalli.

The only hiccup is that the project, which supposed to be completed in three days, has taken 33 instead.

"(There are) three reasons for delay. One is the pipe lines’ repair, other is the lorry strike and the third is the unexpected rains," explained BBMP Commissioner Dr S Subramanya.

The locals are not buying the reasons, legitimate as they may be.

"If they had started earlier, it would have been easier to complete on time, but something is better than nothing,” says Bangalore resident Mohan.

Another local, Ajay Patwari is willing to lay a bet. “The BBMP cannot complete it in the next two months,” he says.

Yet another Bangalorean Babulal has graver fears than the BBMP’s deadlines.

"Once airport starts, volume of vehicles will be triple of what it is now. Roads now itself are not sufficient to handle the capacity,” he says.

But the BBMP is optimistic.

"Issue of connectivity is important. Desire to complete by March 28 is there. Even if I complete by April 28, I consider it an achievement,” says Subramanya.

With six more underpasses to go for the BBMP to realise its vision of a signal-free corridor to the airport, slated to begin operations from March 29 this year, it is a race against time. It has taken more than a month to complete work on just one underpass, so the deadline can be considered to be at least six months from now.

Till then, a ride to the new airport promises to be chaotic and long-winding.