Bangalore-mysore_infrastructure_corridor.docx

Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor - Boon for Urban Infrastucture problems

Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor - Boon for Urban Infrastructure problems By Sri. D. Prasad, Project Director- IIIE Ltd

1.0 Introduction The IT revolution while bringing prosperity to the Bangalore city has led to breakdown of Urban infrastructure including choked and narrow roads unable to cope with growing vehicular traffic, power and water shortages and severe air, water and noise pollution. The main theme of this Infrastructure corridor is to disperse the development over a wider area to relieve concentration of activity within the city. The constant traffic jams, growing water scarcity and increasing cost of bringing water to Bangalore from river Cauvery have prompted the state government to promote shifting of economic activity to the south of Bangalore i.e. towards Mysore, where river Cauvery originates. The PROJECT aims to accelerate the development of area widely perceived as the economic backbone of Karnataka. This Economic Development Corridor proposes to link the Electronic City at Hosur Road ( NH 7 ),with Peenya industrial area at Tumkur Road ( NH 4 ). Electronic City is a housing and corporate Infotech development for world leaders. In addition, the corridor will also link the fast growing industrial area at Bidadi on the way to Mysore where some the large MNCs are located. The south side of Bangalore which the PROJECT is going to impact also houses the large trading markets of Bangalore ( and Karnataka ). The ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORRIDOR aims to link these three economic centers of Karnataka to each other with a safe and fast transit corridor thus catalyzing the

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Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor - Boon for Urban Infrastucture problems

growth of the region. The plan recommends the development of a premium transit system utilizing the existing Corridor and its right-of-way. The transportation strategy is predicted on the vision that the region will be redeveloped into a high density, transit oriented, urban center and that the larger corridor, distinguished by the design and Arts and Entertainment Districts and will become growing magnets for businesses, entertainment and tourism. This development, incorporating the highest, most modern international standards is expected to make Township I the corporate and residential hub of Bangalore.

Panoramic view of Peripheral Road with Cloverleaf Interchange at Somapura Near Kengeri on BMICP Besides decongesting Bangalore, the PROJECT aims to reinstate its position as THE DESTINATION FOR KNOWLEDGE BASED INDUSTRIES by providing a clean, healthy working and living environment. The PROJECT would benefit Bangalore and its surroundings in a number of ways:   

Creation of world class Infrastructure facilities. Peripheral road to help heavy truck Traffic bypass the city of Bangalore leading to Decongestion of City Environment friendly project as the level of noise and air pollution will drop significantly.

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Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor - Boon for Urban Infrastucture problems

        

Reduction in fuel consumption for all users of the toll roads as well as Bangalore citizens due to less congestion on city roads. Reduction in travel time and accident rate. Considerable number of people loose their lives in road accidents every year in Bangalore. Saving maintenance cost on existing city roads for the municipal corporation. Creation of employment opportunities Induced Economic Growth in the Regions Due to the Corridor Arresting of rural to urban migration Availability of newer markets to farmers for their produce Better housing, clothing and recreational facilities, which will act as counter magnet to urban centers. Upliftment of educational status of the rural population and incentive to progress

2.0 Benefits of the Corridor

View of Cloverleaf Interchange Bridge

View of Peripheral Road Alignment avoiding the lakes

Bangalore, the silicon valley of the East, is the fastest growing metropolis in India with a population growth rate stands third in the country. The city originally created to house a population of 3-4 million is today home to more than 11.5 million people. The population of the city on current growth rates is expected to cross 15 million by the year 2030. This on rush is led in large measure by the infotech revolution sweeping through the country with Bangalore by far the most preferred destination, given its skilled manpower pool and salubrious climate. This revolution while bringing prosperity to the city has led to breakdown of urban infrastructure including choked and narrow roads unable to cope with growing vehicular traffic, power and water shortages and severe air, water and noise pollution. There is now a growing realization that if Bangalore has to retain its status as THE DESTINATION for KNOWLEDGE BASED INDUSTRIES, it must disperse the development over a wider area to relieve concentration of activity within the city. The

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Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor - Boon for Urban Infrastucture problems

constant traffic jams, growing water scarcity and increasing cost of bringing water to Bangalore from river Cauvery have prompted the state government to promote shifting of economic activity to the south of Bangalore i.e. towards Mysore, where river Cauvery originates. In addition to the advantages already explained in above section this corridor also recommends the development of a premium transit system utilizing the existing Corridor and its right-of-way. The transportation strategy is predicted on the vision that the region will be redeveloped into a high density, transit oriented, urban center and that the larger corridor, distinguished by the design and Arts and Entertainment Districts and will become growing magnets for businesses, entertainment and tourism. This development, incorporating the highest, most modern international standards is expected to make Township I the corporate and residential hub of Bangalore.

Ariel View of Interchange at Electronic city in Bangalore as start of Peripheral Road

Ariel View of Interchange at Tumkur RoadJindal in Bangalore as End of Peripheral Road

Besides helping achieve the economic growth of the region, the PROJECT will also help to alleviate the problem of the Commercial traffic traveling on the busy NH 4 and NH 7 (linking Chennai in the southern region to Mumbai in the western region-two of the five metro cities of India ) without crossing downtown Bangalore while moving from Mumbai to Chennai or vice versa by providing a fast, grade separated bypass. This not only saves the commercial traffic valuable time spent at check points and traffic intersections but also fuel and other operating costs. This will reduce the pollution levels in the city of Bangalore since the through commercial traffic will no longer travel on the city roads.

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Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor - Boon for Urban Infrastucture problems

International class development of working and living habitats The PROJECT is anticipated to be harbinger of international class development of working and living habitats, essentials for attracting and retaining talent for the KNOWLEDGE BASED INDUSTRIES by providing employees with congenial environment. The added social benefits for the people of the region would be the environment friendly development as the PROJECT will create green areas out of barren and non-cultivable lands. This Corridor aims to reinstate its position as THE DESTINATION FOR KNOWLEDGE BASED INDUSTRIES by providing a clean, healthy working and living environment.

3.0 Project Components 3.1 Phase -A Components  41 kms Outer Peripheral Road linking Hosur Road NH7 to Tumkur Road NH4  9.1 kms Link Road linking city centre to Outer Peripheral Road  12 kms Expressway upto Bidadi  Development of Interchanges at Hosur Road, Tumkur Road , Link Road and other Interchanges.  Township I 3.2 Link Road 9.80 km of Link road to be constructed with expressway standard and 60 meter right of way . Ensure optimization of benefit from expressway by providing fast link to the city center. It shall be connected by elevated corridor of 3.10 km length for access to Bangalore city center . This will Reduce travel time from downtown Bangalore city to Township no-1 to less than 15 minutes

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Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor - Boon for Urban Infrastucture problems

3.3 Peripheral Road Peripheral road to connect National Highway NH 4 coming from Mumbai & NH 7 going to Chennai. Expressway standard facility with 75-meter right of way. Initial 4 lane structure with provision for expansion to 6 lanes. Substantial traffic is expected to get diverted to this facility due to an alternate route for trucks bypassing Bangalore city is available. General congestion prevailing on the city roads will reduce resulting in decongestion of the city & reducing the level of air & noise pollution. 3.4 Express-way The main features of Expressway are  A World Class High speed Corridor connecting Bangalore and Mysore  90 meter right of way with initially 4 lane construction expandable to 6 lanes in future  Designed for safe travel at a speed of 120 Kmph  Suitable provision for Grade separated interchanges to serve as link for townships  Toll plazas for collection of toll without formation of queues  Service area for resting, refuelling, repairs etc.  Fencing on expressway to eliminate ribbon development and unauthorised EntryExits Expressway Corridor will be expandable to six lanes and contain utilities for the project. The expressway component of the Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor will be an efficient, reliable and safe toll road that represents a key link in the India National Highway system. The roadways will be constructed of high quality material and designed to take advantage of state-of-the-art highway engineering and construction techniques. At limited access highways, underpasses and overpasses will be constructed to accommodate stream, river, ravine, road and cattle crossings. All roads crossing the expressway will be grade seperated by bridges or underpasses. Access to the expressway will be by interchanges only. As a limited-access expressway with a continuous barrier on either side, the road will prevent ribbon development, increase efficiency of individual travel and cargo movement and improve vehicle safety.

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Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor - Boon for Urban Infrastucture problems

3.5 Townships

The development of townships will be with clean, high technology industry within landscaped industrial parks.The Consortium will build five self-sustainable townships each with a population of 100,000. Each one of the new townships will have its own unique economic base and will be directly served by the infrastructure corridor. Each township has a primary town center with supporting neighborhood centers. The residential areas are planned to include a range of housing models and are situated so that the walking distances to work, school, or shopping are not greater than 0.9 km (½ mile). Elementary schools are located in each neighborhood. Parks and recreation facilities are generously allocated to neighborhoods and town centers. Transportation access to the expressway and internal vehicle and pedestrian circulation patterns are considered carefully. The results are unique communities that are built on a strong foundation of proven town planning principles.

Corporate Center will be the home for the region's increasing number of corporate head-quarters, offices and research & development facilities.

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Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor - Boon for Urban Infrastucture problems

Commercial Center will be a residential suburb of Bangalore dedicated to retail, light industry and municipal support services. It will represent world famous Mysore silk and local handicrafts. Industrial Center will specialize in clean manufacturing, including “white” durable goods and industrial research and development. Heritage Center will feature a central lake surrounded by buildings, which will house arts and crafts and cultural heritages including varieties of food, clothing and uniqueness of the different states of India. It will be pilgrimage site with conference and traditional healing facilities. Eco-tourism Center will become a destination for Indians and foreign travelers who wish to learn about the region's rich history, national reserve forests, environmental and water resources, fine and performing arts and historic temples and churches. Utilizing the principles of sustainable development, each township will be designed to address the economic, environmental and social needs of the population. In so doing, the townships will provide citizens with a high quality of life in healthy, efficient world-class communities. In addition, the townships will help move consumers closer to the region's farming communities, thus creating an integrated economic development and a stronger market for farmers.

4.0 Project Opportunities

•Acquisition of about 20193 acres of land

• 9.1 KM Link Road • 111 KM Expressway • 41 KM Southern section of outer peripheral road

•Water •Sewage treatment •Power •Tele-Commn.,

• Corporate Center • Commercial Center • Industrial Center • Heritage Center • Eco-Tourism Center

This project offers many opportunities for investor participation. Some of these opportunities include:  Outer peripheral road development  Expressway Development  Five self-sustaining townships with population of 100,000 each  400 MW power generating facility  Telecommunications system  Water supply system  Sewage treatment facility  Tourism, theme parks, amusement and recreational facilities

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Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor - Boon for Urban Infrastucture problems

5. Benefits of the Project Following are the some of the many benefits which will result from the successful completion of the Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Project. Transportation: Bangalore -Mysore Expressway will be model for safety, speed and efficiency. Integrated Fibre Optic Communications Services will provide high volume information transmission, capabilities for business, institutions, Governments and individuals. Economic Development: State of the art Highway design and construction will improve ability to move goods and people within the region. The project will be catalyst for the creation of many new high skill, high pay jobs. Planned communities will be a centre of excellence for technology, research and industry as well as ideal places to live and raise families. Environment: Air quality will improve as a result of reduced traffic congestion. Community planning and development which will emphasize quality of the environment. Designs for water conservation and modern sewage treatment / disposal will mitigate environmental impacts of population growth in the region. Ground Water Recharge / Percolation Pits The ground water recharge pits are being provided along the drainage and also the drainage system has been designed according to the rainwater being collected on the road surface and which could be diverted either to an existing pits, so that further flow is not affected in the pits and/or also to recharge the ground water in ground water recharge pits. Water Conservation: Sewage Treatment plants will be located in each of the five townships along with the interchange areas. All water consumed in these development areas would be tertiary treated and recycled, which would be used for the non-potable purposes. The tertiary treated water would be utilized in the Townships and Interchange areas by the usage of Dual Piping system whereby drinking water could be supplied through one pipe and the other pipe would supply the tertiary treated water for gardening, car washing and other non- potable purposes. After subsequent usage, this water would be diverted into the nearest lake, which would help to recharge the ground water. This will increase the extent of arable area, which will be beneficial to the farmers. Reduction in Air Pollution: The gradient of the road is designed to be at less than 3 per cent. This will lead to lesser fuel consumption, lesser emissions and stress-less driving. With the implementation of the BMICP, the travel distances are reduced drastically. This means lesser consumption of fuel, lesser emission, etc. Which will lead to greater savings to the National exchequer and lesser air pollution.

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Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor - Boon for Urban Infrastucture problems

Skilled Technology 

The following arrangements have been made in the project:

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Providing percolation pits, storm water drainage and culverts;

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Rain water harvesting facilities;

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Adequate number of Underpasses;

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Adequate number of overpasses;

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Adequate Avenue plantation / greenery;

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No sand is withdrawn from the river beds, etc.

Noise / Sound Barriers have been erected to reduce the noise pollution in the project vicinity. In this project where ‘ Cut and Fill” technique was used to achieve the planned 3.3 per cent gradient of the Road. All the material required for the project viz., earth, rock etc., was secured from within the “Right of Way” land of the project. NICE is the one among the best projects to have set up Meteorological Station to help the habitants of the project corridor.

6. Features The primary features of the BMIC Project are, 75 Meter wide 41 Kilometer Peripheral RoadConnectingNH 4 –Bangalore – Pune road, Magadi Road, Mysore Road, Kanakapura Road, Bannergatta Road and NH 7 – Hosur Road. 60 Meter wide 9 Kilometer Link road, connecting the center of the city to the Expressway and The 90 Meter wide 111 Kilometer Expressway connecting Bangalore to Mysore. 16 Interchanges act as mini commercial hubs besides facilitating easy entry and exits for the road users. The Main component of the Project is Five self sustaining townships along the expressway and a 400 MW Power Plant, 2 TMC Water Supply pipeline and Sewerage Treatment plant. The total land required for the Project is 20,193 Acres. This project aims bridge the urban and rural divide and aims to accelerate the development of area widely perceived as the economic backbone of Karnataka. In addition, the corridor will also link the fast growing industrial area at Bidadi on the way to Mysore where some large multinational corporations such as Toyota, General Electric, Coke, and Pepsi are situated. Besides helping achieve the economic growth of the region, the project will also help to alleviate the problem of the commercial traffic traveling on the busy NH 4 and NH 7 (linking Chennai in the south to Mumbai in the west) without crossing central Bangalore by a fast, grade-separated peripheral road. The Interchanges located at periodic intervals on the link, Peripheral and expressway road, would provide for infrastructures such as, toll plaza, petrol bunks, Truck Terminals, Bus Terminals, public amenities, trauma care, hazard management centre, traffic control, storage facilities for the goods, power generation and distribution centers and also provision for sewage treatment plants and commercial and residential establishments etc.

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Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor - Boon for Urban Infrastucture problems

The right of way of the expressway will also carry Telecommunication network (Fiber Optic cables), Power and Gas lines, which would cater to the needs of the Project. The benefits of the project are: creation of world-class infrastructure facilities, peripheral road to help heavy truck traffic bypass the city of Bangalore, leading to decongestion of the city. Due to implementation of the Project the level of noise and air pollution will drop significantly, and it will create green areas out of barren and non-cultivable lands. There will be a reduction in fuel consumption for all users of the toll roads as well as Bangalore citizens due to less congestion on city roads. Bangalore will also experience a reduction in travel time and accident rate. Approximately 700 people lose their lives in road accidents every year in Bangalore currently. The municipal corporation will save on the maintenance cost on existing city roads to the tune of Rs. 60-80 Crores. There will be new employment opportunities, inducing economic growth in the regions due to the corridor, rural to urban migration will be arrested, and for the farmers? They stand to gain too, since there will be newer markets for their produce, the educational status of the rural population, and they will have an incentive to progress. Better housing, clothing, and recreational facilities will act as oppositional forces to urban centers.

7. Health / Safety and Labour Welfare Reduction in Air Pollution: The gradient of the road is designed to be at less than 3.3 per cent. This will lead to lesser fuel consumption, lesser emissions and stress-less driving. With the implementation of the BMICP, the travel distances are reduced drastically. This means lesser consumption of fuel, lesser emission, etc. Which will lead to greater savings to the National exchequer and lesser air pollution. Water Conservation: Sewage Treatment plants will be located in each of the five townships along with the interchange areas. All water consumed in these development areas would be tertiary treated and recycled, which would be used for the non-potable purposes. The tertiary treated water would be utilized in the Townships and Interchange areas by the usage of Dual Piping system whereby drinking water could be supplied through one pipe and the other pipe would supply the tertiary treated water for gardening, car washing and other non- potable purposes. After subsequent usage, this water would be diverted into the nearest lake, which would help to recharge the ground water. This will increase the extent of arable area, which will be beneficial to the farmers.

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Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor - Boon for Urban Infrastucture problems

Tree Planting More than 3 to 4 lakhs tree saplings were planted and are being raised. A dedicated team is allocated to take care of these saplings. These saplings would be utilized for avenues and for development purposes. These avenue plantations will absorb the emissions by the vehicular traffic and provide scenic beauty for the commuters. The company has adopted 253 lakes and steps are being taken to desilt and rejuvenate them. This would lead to increase in water holding capacity and the hydrograph in the surrounding areas will also improve thus resulting in the availability of ground water in abundance. By this, the arability of the agricultural lands will increase, which will benefit thousands of farmers. As the quality of water will be maintained at all times, many species of birds will make the lakes and surrounding areas their home.

8. Improvement of Social Environment The company believe that Environmental Management is not only restricted to Physical Environment, but also to social environment. With this policy, the company has decided to adopt 149 villages that come under the project area. 

All the villagers will be provided with necessary physical infrastructure like new homes in exchange of old houses and huts, drinking water, electricity, UG sewage system, roads, primary health centres, schools, training centres, community halls, go-downs, cold storage centres, temples etc.

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Schools are being established in the vicinity of the village to provide education, thereby bridging the urban and Rural divide and to integrate them into the economic main stream.

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Training centres are being established to train the land losers and / or their dependants in various trades like electrical, fitter, plumbing, carpentry etc. to earn a better pay and lead a better livelihood.

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Go-downs and cold storage facilities provided for the advantage of the farmers.

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Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor - Boon for Urban Infrastucture problems

9. Conclusions: As per appeal by the Past President of India Dr Abdul kalam in one of his addresses, “Providing Urban amenities in Rural Areas (PURA) is another example for creating rural wealth and prosperity. The model envisages a habitat designed to improve the quality of life in rural places and makes special suggestions to remove urban congestion also”. This is achieved only by the development of Infrastructure Corridors, which traverses through rural areas connecting well-developed urban regions. Similar way Bangalore- Mysore Infrastructure Corridor in addition to solving the Urban Infrastructure Problems largely helps in creating rural wealth and prosperity. Ever since India embarked on economic reforms in early 1990s, infrastructure development has remained top priority for successive governments. With the economy clocking a growth rate of over 8%, it is estimated that a staggering Investments would be required by all Infrastructure sectors over next coming years. Today it is no exaggeration to say that Urban Infrastructure integrated with Corridors development holds the key in economic development and open Gateways to smart cities development. Efficient infrastructure with corridors development, combined with liberalization and harmonization of transport markets, is a prerequisite for economic growth. It is very well established that Presently Our country needs development of Corridors in most viable manner to steer our country towards Overall growth. No doubt the corridors Integrate the rural development with urban and most of the benefits transferred to rural sector which is very much needed in our country in present state. Basic economic and investment policy must also go hand in hand in the Indian context, particularly so that more Urban and rural transport systems, which are environmentfriendly, like Bangalore- Mysore Infrastructure Corridor developments, should be supported in the competition among other systems.

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