Even as Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that structures that encroach on storm water drains in Bengaluru should be demolished irrespective of whether it is owned by rich or poor, BBMP’s 3-year-old flyover constructed on drains will stay.
“I want you to remove encroachments by big builders and developers to totally clear the rajakaluves so that a deluge-like situation can be avoided in future,” the CM directed BBMP officials on Monday.
Rohith BR reports for TheTimes of India that the flyover near Gali Anjaneya temple, off Mysuru road was built on drains, despite opposition from experts at the time.
According to the report, the flyover that was built at a cost of Rs 18Cr has hardly addressed the traffic woes on the stretch of the road.
The Hindu reported in 2013 that the flyover was built over the major drain of Vrishabhavati Valley.
Shadakshara Murthy K, a resident of Nayandahalli on Mysuru Road who travels on this stretch every day, told TOI, “The height of the flyover is 30-35 feet at the Chord Road end, and by the time it touches Mysuru Road, it almost plunges into the drain, leading to a block below. Another factor is the flyover hardly serves the purpose as there are traffic jams every day."
However, BBMP officials maintain that they cannot pull down the flyover after investing crores of rupees into the construction. They however, admitted to faults in the design.
“The structure is serving as a comparatively smooth passage for vehicular traffic between two busy main roads. We can't demolish it after investing crores on the project,“ he added.