'Hudson Circle flyover' at Town Hall junction

By Govind D. Belgaumkar

BANGALORE, SEPT. 25. The much publicised Rs. 20-crore ``Hudson Circle flyover'', for which tenders have been called, is not to be built over Hudson Circle!

Although top officials of the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) say that tenders have been invited for ``Hudson Circle flyover'', the proposed flyover is to be constructed over the Town Hall junction.

Ever since the BMP wrested, as it were, three flyover projects from the Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL) over a month ago, the BMP has been saying that it is ready with plans for building flyovers at Hudson Circle, Rajajinagar Entrance and K.R. Circle.

Advertisements about the Hudson Circle flyover project which have appeared in newspapers say that ``tender (is invited) for construction of flyover at Town Hall Junction, Bangalore''.

Mr. R. Jaiprasad, Engineer-in-Chief, BMP, says the proposed ``Hudson Circle flyover'' will come up between the BMP offices and the Sirsi Circle Flyover at K.R. Market, near the Silver Jubilee Park. It will be 700 metres long, he adds. The project is one of four components of the Hudson Circle flyover project, he clarifies.

Sources in the BMP point out that the people believe that it is inviting tenders for the construction of a flyover at Hudson Circle, which is one of the busiest junctions in the City. ``Now that they are planning a flyover at the Town Hall junction, it is not known why the project is being called `Hudson Circle flyover','' they say.

A feature of the tender is that the contractor selected has to design a flyover and build it on a turn-key basis, despite the BMP saying it has designs and estimates ready for the three flyover projects. One wonders why the BMP should ask contractors to design flyovers, if they have appropriate designs ready.

Meanwhile, the BMP will issue blank tender documents for the project till October 3, and hold a pre-bid meeting on October 11.

The BMP, which was upset over the Government's move to hand over flyover projects to the KRDCL, was happy to be given the work after its concerted efforts.

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Section  : Southern States
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