Dust-free demolition?

BENGALURU: The likely demolition of the BDA-built flyover near Jayadeva hospital on Bannerghatta Road, and subsequent Metro work which will block the adjoining roads has brought to fore several concerns. The big question is how will the citizens access the hospital which, on an average, caters to 650 in-house patients and 1,400 out-patients a day?A week ago, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) officials met doctors at Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiac Sciences and Research to discuss the alternative road arrangements to be made. The construction on both Reach 5 (RV Road to Bommasandra) and Reach 6 (Gottigere to Nagawara) will begin at a time, blocking the two entrances of the hospital —from Jayanagar Road (from Hosur Road) and Bannerghatta Road (towards the flyover).“We requested the BMRCL to take up work on one section after the other, but we’re told that it has been tendered out and scheduled to begin at a time. We raised our concern about the hospital’s entries getting blocked. BMRCL has promised to provide alternative roads utilising our parking area space on both the entrances. We hope it works that way,” said the hospital authorities.The hospital situated in front of the flyover, which will be demolished in April, 2019 to build an interchange station, may have to bear the brunt of debris dust. However, BMRCL authorities have promised the hospital that German machinery will leave no dust, instead chew debris while demolishing.“We have instructed to install a barricade of 12 metre (40 feet) surrounding the hospital when the work begins. Galvanised iron sheet with mild steel frame may protect the hospital from pollution,” said the engineering wing of the hospital. Besides, ventilators towards the construction area will be closed and air conditioners are likely to come up on such places in the hospital.