Bengalureans who frequent the airport finally have reason to cheer as an alternative, toll-free route to the Kempegowda International Airport is finally going to be accessible from the end of February.
Agricultural Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, who was inspecting the progress of the project with Bengaluru Development Minister KJ George, said, “The Public Works Department has said that the work will be completed by the end of this month."
This push from the state government comes in the light of the upcoming Assembly polls – it hopes to throw the road open before the model code of conduct comes into place.
This road will mostly be beneficial for residents of the eastern part of the city, which includes KR Puram, Byappanahalli and CV Raman Nagar. For now, this alternative route will be open on Airport Road, connecting from existing routes, like Bagalur Cross.
But this may come with a rider – now, the existing route to the airport maybe tolled even while going towards it. This means your joyride to Nandi Hills may also become a tad expensive. Currently, only vehicles coming out of the airport are charged a tariff.
This also has triggered fears among a few that there may potentially be traffic pile-ups because of this, which could increase travel time.
However, the PWD has not been alerted by the company manning the toll gate on the issue yet.
This road – that travels via Hennur, RK Hegde Nagar, Bagaluru and Begur – was promised by the government in order to ease the traffic on Ballari Road, but has been delayed since its announcement. This route will also see a reduction in distance of more than three kilometres. These roads were funded by the state Nagarothana Scheme.
In order to make the stretch signal free, work is also on to build underpasses and small bridges at eight junctions.
Another 400-metre part of the road will be open for vehicular traffic due after shifting 66 km underground electrical cables.
According to latest data, a record 25 million (250 lakh) passengers passed through Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru in 2017.