They were publicised as the government’s gift to citizens just weeks before the Assembly elections. The former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated many infrastructure projects in the city in March. Most of them have brought woes than cheer to people, as they were inaugurated even before the supporting infrastructure was completed.
Among the projects that were thrown open to the public were the Hennur Road flyover, an alternative road to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) through Hennur Main Road, and a section of the Okalipuram signal-free corridor. As the supporting infrastructure is lacking, the woes of commuters have only worsened with the onset of monsoon. Many commuters are saying that the purpose of opening these projects is being defeated owing to their hurried opening.
Hennur Road flyover
Work on the Hennur Road flyover was started in 2011. After much delays, protests and promises by those in power, it was finally opened to the public this March. Two months later, commuters have more complaints than compliments.
Som Thomas, a resident of Cooke Town and a frequent commuter to Hennur, said not many people use the flyover. “The traffic is always on the road below as it connects the Outer Ring Road. Even though the flyover is ready, the condition of the service road is pathetic. The rains have only added to the mess,” he said.
The flyover itself is poorly designed said a resident of Hennur, requesting anonymity. “As they wanted to inaugurate the flyover in a hurry, they cut short the distance of the ramp on both the sides. As a result, motorists feel like they are tumbling down a hill as there is a sudden drop in the elevation while getting down the flyover. There is traffic jam immediately after the flyover on both Kacharakanahalli and Hennur sides. There is no point in taking the flyover.”
Alternative road to KIA
Another much-publicised project which was inaugurated ahead of the polls was the alternative road to KIA via Hennur Main Road. While the newly constructed road till Mylanahalli from the airport is in good condition, the stretch beyond it, till Hennur, is in a bad shape, said taxi drivers who ply to the airport regularly.
Ravi S., who makes trips to the KIA every day, said the road from Mylanahalli to Hennur is a nightmare. “This is an important stretch as the entry into the city would be much easier if this road is developed. One can avoid the traffic at Hebbal. For several years, they have been constructing a four-lane road on this stretch. It is incomplete till date. Now that it has begun raining, the road is like a swimming pool,” he said.
Okalipuram underpass
The foundation stone for the Okalipuram signal-free corridor was laid in 2012. Ahead of the Assembly elections, the first phase of this corridor, which includes an underpass and a flyover, was inaugurated.
The underpass gets flooded sometime during the rains, motorists said.
“I recently travelled through the underpass when it was raining, and it was a mess. The underpass was flooded,” said Sunanda K., a resident of Magadi Road.
Further, commuters said the underconstruction portions turn into a slushy mess during the rains.