Bangalore: Inspecting a one km free concrete road stretch at Hosur Road, donated by Cement Mfrs. Association here, CM Yeddyurappa was obliged to say on Wednesday, that all areas around Bangalore (coming under BBMP or BDA) would be concretized instead of using bituminous (tar) roads which get worn cut quickly. The cost may be 20% more but it is worth going in for concretes works on roads even in all cities, as the state has enough funds, he observed.
The road life will increase by 25 to 30 years with little or no maintenance costs, he admitted.
The bituminous roads have a life of 2 0r 3 years, need frequent maintenance, develop pot-holes, and damages, requiring repairs after Monsoon. White tops are better than black tops (asphalting) on roads as the former last longer, CM explained. He then directed BBMP / BDA engineers to draw up the plans to ensure smooth traffic movements.
He cited Mumbai as a model for concrete roads, and with private-public partnership it can be done here in Bangalore, he said. The people using the roads will not be asked to pay tolls. The private sector partners will be given advertising rights on the length of roads. A final decision will be taken soon, he indicated.
Later, he inaugurates a pre-cast element underpass (way) at Madiwala junction. The work was done in 2 months only. CM and his ministers took a walk on the underbridges.
Near the Town Hall in front of Dasappa Hospital, a pedestrian underpass was thrown open by CM. The work lasted 2 years, costing Rs.37 crores.
Speaking to press persons who followed him, CM said that a project for 10 multi-level parting complexes costing Rs. 1000 crores was sanctioned. Bangalore city needed overbridges, underpasses and flyovers to case density of population and avoid road accidents. 75% of the Metro train work from M.G. Road to Byappanahalli has been completed. The govt will spend Rs. 18,000 crores on infrastructure works in 2010-13, CM envisioned.