Tin factory junction

Benniganahalli lake bed

KTCDA

Namma Metro

BMRCL

We did not have any difficulties in getting permission from the KTCDA. We are not touching the waterbody. The work will only be taken up in the buffer zone of the lake – A senior BMRCL official

On the KR Puram to Byappanahalli side, buildings will make way for two additional lanes

BBMP

Bengaluru’s dreadedwill get four new lanes as Metro secures lake authority’s nod for road expansion onOne of the most congested traffic junctions in the City is finally getting some space. The Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority () has given a go-ahead to build a two-lane road from the banks of Benniganahalli lake to the KR Puram railway station, providing a free way for traffic moving towards the tech hub. The additional space will also helpto build three Metro lines and a station at the busy junction. Currently, the traffic coming from the ORR which goes below the flyover towards KR Puram railway station gets held back due to the narrow road and heavy volume of traffic. The additional road will be a big relief.Officials in the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited () confirmed that the KTCDA has given clearance to start work at the half-acre land that currently occupies a walking track and the lake bund. The road widening work, officials said, would not affect the waterbody. The full-fledged work, however, would start only after the Metro acquires land around this area, including two temples, located on either side of Old Madras road.“We did not have any difficulties in getting permission from the KTCDA as such approvals are generally given to major infrastructure projects including highway and railway projects. We are not touching the waterbody. The work will only be taken up in the buffer zone of the lake,” a senior BMRCL official said. Similar permission, he said, was also given at Veerasandra lake along Hosur road.Other than a two lane road near Benniganahalli lake, the BMRCL is also adding another two lanes on the other side of the road near Tin Factory. The majority of the 2 to 3 lane road between the railway underpass and the downramp of KR Puram bridge, which is currently being used by vehicles, will make way for three Metro lines (Baiyappanahalli -- Whitefield, KR Puram -- airport and Tin Factory - Baiyappanahalli Depot) and a Metro station.Although the plan was ready last year, officials are struggling to acquire the land required to widen the busy junction due to opposition from locals. N H Subramanian, secretary of Benniganahalli Kere Trust, is not happy with KTCDA giving permission to BMRCL. “We are not okay with the plan. We protested against it some time ago. Neither thenor BMRCL has taken our views. Acquiring a portion of walking track is fine. We learn that there is a plan to chop off 60 trees, which we will oppose,” he said.Other than the lake area, the BMRCL has initiated the process of acquiring about 50 properties in the one-kilometre stretch along Old Madras road. “The land acquisition process is in the advanced stage and the full-fledged Metro work would start in one to two months,” another BMRCL official said. “The delay will not affect the entire Baiyappanahalli - Whitefield stretch as we plan to use all our resources in building the station and finish the work on time.” The BMRCL plans to widen the road and resume Metro on full scale in the next two months. The BMRCL has also planned to build a foot-over-bridge for smooth pedestrian movement, which will pass through the Metro station in the unpaid area. Officials, however, do not have a plan to immediately construct a unidirectional flyover along the Old Madras road, as announced earlier. “We have made provisions keeping in mind the future requirements. In the current scheme of things, there is no plan to build a flyover,” he said.