BDA Junction

Looks like atleast the BBMP commissioner listens to critiscism and comments from experts. Here is what he has to say on the comments / suggestion on Underpass design:

I have gonethrough the opinion of experts expressed in the series - Concrete Solution? There were a lot of issues that really impressed me. By and large experts have given full marks for the technology. However some of them have criticised it referring to the underpass constructed at the Cauvery junction. But they are not against adopting the technology.

I agree the underpass at the Cauvery junction should have been wider. There is always a scope to learn from the past experience. We have increased the width of the underpass at BDA junction to 5.5 m. Similarly, we are making all efforts to improve the technology as we move on to other junctions.

I never said precast technology is the only solution to solve the traffic problems of Bangalore City. All roads in the city are not wide or good enough to accommodate the increasing vehicular population. Palike looked at precast technology as one of the solutions. The long term measure to solve the problem is having more stilt roads,
roads on storm water drains. I have been saying that underpasses using precast technology is a short-term measure. It is cost-effective and time saving. Many experts who contributed to the series agreed with this.

Even though the underpass at the Cauvery junction was completed in 33 days it is a record. The underpass at the Cauvery junction received lot of criticism, yet lakhs of vehicles have passed through it since it was opened and fuel worth crores has been saved. I don’t say what Palike has done is perfect. It is unrealistic to expect perfection at the first step itself. It is just an initiative.

For more:http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Apr32008/city2008040360788.asp