BENGALURU: A new flyover near Okalipuram is awaiting inauguration since several months. Now, with the Model Code of Conduct in place for the election, the wait has only got longer. The construction work was taken up over two-and-half years and citizens are now demanding that the flyover be opened to traffic immediately.
The construction work of 350 metre-long flyover started towards the end of 2019, but got delayed due to construction of subway of Lulu Mall, shifting of utilities like power line and the Covid-19 pandemic. The flyover will help vehicle users skip four traffic junctions.
Roads connecting Majestic area and Magadi Roads under the flyover have been opened for movement of vehicles.
- Motorists can reach Majestic directly via Magadi Road by taking the flyover.
- Vehicles can go towards Ram Mandir, Sujata Talkies after taking a left turn from Magadi Road using service road.
- Vehicles from Ram Mandir can connect to Magadi Road via the flyover.
- Vehicles can reach Magadi Road by taking the Majestic service road or reach Majestic by taking a U-turn.
Santosh, an autorickshaw driver, said, “The inauguration is being delaying for political reasons. We are suffering due to this construction work and we don’t getting Ola, Uber customers as they cancel the bookings because of the delay in reaching them. Now, the service road is one-way and with the flyover remaining closed, people have to suffer due to traffic congestion. If the new flyover is opened to traffic, we can provide better service”.
Chandrashekhaar, a two-wheeler rider, said, “We are facing problems as the flyover has remained closed despite the work being completed. Now we have no other route to get to the main road and we have to go around the flyover. It’s of no use for the general public but malls, showrooms will benefit. The local residents are also facing lot of problem every day”.