railway over bridge

Kaggadasapura

Bengaluru

The BBMP has to acquire 93 properties to build the railway over bridge at Kaggadasapura and these are two of them

By Y Maheswara ReddyThe(ROB) nearwas planned seven years ago but even today it remains an idea on paper. There was an attempt to make the much-delayed ROB a reality in 2016 but the status of the project remains a pipe dream.The proposed ROB comes under the jurisdiction of two Assembly constituencies – KR Puram and CV Raman Nagar – represented by Byrathi Basavaraj of Congress and S Raghu of BJP. Both the representatives had put up huge banners in 2016 claiming credit for the project. The BruhatMahanagara Palike (BBMP) authorities had even identified properties for acquisi tion to create land for the bridge but neither was the land acquired nor were the buildings demolished to facilitate the construction of the ROB.Residents in the nearby areas allege that there is a tussle between the Congress and BJP MLAs over the project. While the Congress MLA insists that the authorities go ahead with the project, the BJP MLA suggests that the authorities look for an alternative option. However, a few residents, including Congress corporator S Nagaraj, representing Vignana Nagar ward in the BBMP Council, allege that BJP leaders wanted to shelve the project to safeguard the buildings from being razed.“The then union railway minister D V Sadananda Gowda had made much of laying the foundation stone. Then he buckled under pressure from BJP leaders and directed the railway authorities to suggest another option – an underpass – to decongest the traffic at the railway crossing. BJP MLA Raghu wanted to save BJP leader Nandiesh Reddy’s relative’s property,’’ claims S Nagaraj.Refuting the allegations, BJP MLA S Raghu has said that majority of the properties among the 93 properties to be acquired for the ROB were from his constituency and demolition of these properties would put the property owners in trouble and distress.“It is true that I and other BJP leaders including MP P C Mohan met railway authorities to find an alternative option – construction of an underpass – to avoid demolition of many properties,’’ says S Raghu.Denying the allegations that he was protecting BJP leaders’ properties, Raghu said that only 12 ft of land belonging to a BJP leader had been earmarked for acquisition. “Majority of the property owners, including Ramachandra who contested on a Congress ticket in 2010 BBMP elections, are Congress supporters. The BBMP has to pay more than Rs 150 crore as compensation for acquiring 93 properties but the project cost has been stated as Rs 28 crore,’’ Raghu said.Meanwhile, commuters, especially motorists, want the politicians to bury the hatchet and commence the construction of the ROB as early as possible, in public interest.“It is not good to cancel the ROB which is the need of the hour. It will benefit commuters and motorists. Politics should not come in the way of construction of a ROB,’’ says Basavaraj, a resident.Trains such as the Dharmapuri Passenger, Salem Passenger, Yeshwanthpur Passenger, Kurla Express, Mayiladthurai Express, Intercity and Tuticorin Express pass on this railway line. This list excludes goods trains.It’s a herculean task for the commuters and motorists to get across such a busy railway crossing, especially during peak hours. Around one lakh people depend on it to reach their destinations from Kaggadasapura, Narayanapura and other nearby areas.“I have to wait around 20 minutes every time to reach the other side from Kaggadasapura during the peak hours. I want the authorities concerned to take up this project as soon as possible in the interest of thousands of motorists,’’ says Sudarshan M, a resident.The estimated cost of the project (ROB), to be taken up under cost-sharing basis, is Rs 28 crore. The Bruhat Bengaluru Managara Palike (BBMP) is supposed to bear the major share (Rs 19.2 crore) while the railways has to spend Rs 8.8 crore for the construction of the railway over bridge. On paper, the project is ready to take-off. Now if only it could do so in reality.