Govt drops plan to widen Chalukya Circle-Jayamahal road, to go for tunnel project instead

BENGALURU: Bengaluru’s Ballari Road is facing traffic congestion issues. On the other hand, there are problems with the Transferrable Development Rights (TDR) issue with Palace Grounds for the road widening project. The government, which was initially keen on widening the road by acquiring Palace Ground land, has now decided to drop the project.

A report on the government’s decision to drop the Ballari Road widening project, which was earlier aired by Public TV, has now been confirmed with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah himself admitting it. The plan was to widen the road from Chalukya Circle to Jayamahal Road (Mehkri Circle). However, the government has now planned to build a tunnel road instead.

The government had earlier planned to acquire 15 acres and 36 guntas of Palace Ground land for the road widening project. However, due to issues with the land acquisition, the government has now decided to drop the project. Instead, it is planning to build a tunnel road. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has responded to the issue, stating that the government cannot afford to give Transferable Development Rights (TDR) bonds. He also mentioned that the project was dropped so that development works are not hit.

The state government has been trying to implement the road widening project for the past 16 years. However, due to issues with acquiring land from the Palace Grounds, the project has been delayed. The government has now planned to build a tunnel road instead of widening the existing road. An official announcement is expected to be made in the next budget. Until then, commuters will have to continue facing traffic congestion.