IT to take this 9-km flyover to cyber city

It matters. So when infotech majors Infosys and Wipro complained about poor infrastructure, the state got the UPA Government to roll out an ...

It matters. So when infotech majors Infosys and Wipro complained about poor infrastructure, the state got the UPA Government to roll out an offer — a nine-kilometre flyover along Hosur Road to Electronic City.

Announcing the project today, Union Minister for Surface Transport and Shipping T.R. Baalu said a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) would be floated for the purpose. The decision to construct a tolled flyover came a day after the meeting with the representatives of the Electronic City Industries Association (ECIA).

Only weeks ago, IT companies, including Infosys and Wipro, had complained of traffic snarls and potholed roads. They had even threatened to pull out of the city if their issues were not addressed.

Story continues below this ad

The SPV — comprising ECIA, Centre and the state government — will share the project cost. While ECIA will hold 33.3 per cent stake in the Rs 400-crore project, the National Highway Authority of India and the state government will have 66.6 per cent.

The four-lane flyover will be a dedicated route to the Electronic City, without any diversion. The Union Minister said a detailed project report would be prepared by March 2005 and the foundation would be laid in the second week of April 2005. The project is likely to be completed in about two-and-a-half years.

Chief Minister Dharam Singh said the existing four-lane Hosur Road will be upgraded to six lanes, at Rs 65 crore. ‘‘Commuters need not have to pay any toll for using this road,’’ he said. Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Water Resources Minister Mallikarjun Kharge and Union Minister of State for National Highways K.H.Muniyappa were present.