Soil testing begins for Shivananda Circle Steel Bridge

The Shivananda Circle steel bridge, which was approved after the much debate, is becoming a reality with Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) taking up the soil test of the location on Sunday. It can be recalled that the Shivananda Circle steel bridge was first proposed in 2011 to ease the traffic density on Race Course Road, Kumara Krupa Road and Seshadripuram Road. The proposal faced severe criticism and protest by the environmentalists. However, it was finally agreed upon and passed in the Cabinet. The tender process was started and finally awarded to M Venkatarao Infra Structure Company. As a first step, the BBMP is conducting the soil test. On Sunday, BBMP started conducting the soil test of the location, reports Kannada Prabha.

The project requires cutting down of 26 trees along the road. It has been complained that public objection was not called for before starting the work. However, amidst the debate, BBMP has identified 1500.36 sq metres for the purpose. The 4-lane over bridge will be 310 long, 16 meters wide. It will connect Race Course Road, Hare Krishna Road and Seshadripuram Road railway underbridge.

The actual estimated cost of the project is Rs 19.85 crore but including land acquisition, utility costs it will come up to Rs 50 crore. Mayor G Padmavathi said that the traffic per hour is very dense at this location and also at Chief Minister’s home office Krishna on Kumara Krupa Road. Hence Grade separator and over bridge are essential. She also said that while preparing the feasibility report in 2011-12 itself, a soil test was conducted. However, the engineers had advised to test the soil again before awarding the work order. Hence, the soil test is being conducted, reports Kannada Prabha.

• Shivananda Circle steel bridge
• karnataka