Bengaluru: Following the cancellation of tenders for nine elevated corridor and flyover projects across the city, Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (B-Smile) has invited fresh bids for six of them at a combined estimated civil cost of Rs 1,640.3 crore, excluding GST.The six projects are Minerva Circle–Town Hall loop–KR Circle corridor (Rs 539.9 crore), Shoolay Circle–St John’s Hospital Road corridor (Rs 564.1 crore), Doddaballapura Road–Kogilu Circle corridor via Old Yelahanka (Rs 102.6 crore), grade separators on Pipeline Road in Mahalakshmi Layout (Rs 315.3 crore), a split flyover at MEI Junction on Tumakuru Road (Rs 41.6 crore) and elevated corridor at Konanakunte Cross on Kanakapura Road (Rs 76.8 crore).The projects have a stipulated construction period of 30 months, including monsoon, and a maintenance period of 10 years. However, the total sum of the six projects is higher by Rs 16 crore when compared to the total amount tendered in May this year. The six projects were tendered for a total of Rs 1,624.4 crore in May and Rs 1,640.3 crore in Oct.The elevated corridor from Old Madras Road to Silk Board Junction, for which civil works worth Rs 852 crore were put to tender, is among the projects that have not yet been re-tendered.Earlier this month, urban development department cancelled the tender process for nine elevated corridor and flyover projects estimated to cost Rs 3,060 crore, following a review by a govt-appointed panel. The review reportedly flagged the use of experience from rural works, railway flyovers and underpasses while assessing bidders, despite a requirement that at least half of the qualifying projects be in urban areas. Questions were also raised over compliance with national highway guidelines and Karnataka Works Rules.In Aug, B-Smile had invited tenders for two tolled elevated corridors: 28-km Yeshwantpur–Tin Factory corridor, estimated at Rs 3,536.9 crore, and 18.5-km Ragigudda–Kanakapura Road corridor, estimated at Rs 2,283.2 crore.The elevated corridor proposals have faced opposition from sections of residents. Earlier this month, they formed human chains in Indiranagar and Jayanagar to protest the proposed projects.Amulya Shekhar, a representative from civic pressure group Dear DK, urged B-Smile to stop burdening the state’s resources. “This flyover project’s budget is equivalent to a year of GBA funds and will cripple major arteries for years, maybe decades. Govt needs long-term and sustainable solutions to public concerns first, like connectivity to the airport by Metro and alternatives to the airport road via Hebbal,” he said.
