Bengaluru's Long-Delayed Ejipura Flyover Nears Completion
Time for Relief on City's Congested Roads
After nearly eight years of slow progress, the city's much-delayed Ejipura flyover project is finally moving at a brisk pace. With 60% of the construction now complete, BBMP has set an ambitious goal of completing the 2.5km flyover by the end of this year.
- Key Points:
- The contract was originally given to Simplex Infrastructure in 2017 but faced repeated delays and missed deadlines.
- A new contractor, BSCPCL Pvt Ltd from Hyderabad, was awarded the remaining work with a 15-month timeline in November 2023.
- The cost to complete the remaining construction is now set at Rs 176.1 crore, Rs 48 crore higher than the original estimate.
- Detailed Analysis:
A Brief History of Delays
The Ejipura flyover project has been plagued by delays since its inception in 2017. Despite a contract deadline of Nov 2019, Simplex managed to finish only 42.8% of the project within five years. The urban development department eventually terminated the company's contract on March 3, 2022, and seized the security deposit of Rs 10.16 crore.
New Contractor Brings Hope
In November 2023, Hyderabad-based BSCPCL Pvt Ltd submitted a bid and was awarded the remaining work with a 15-month timeline. This change in contractor has brought new hope to the project's completion, with BBMP confident of delivering it by the end of this year.
Land Acquisition Remains a Challenge
One of the final challenges is the acquisition of 5,999 sq metres of land near St John's Medical College and hostel, required to complete the structure. "We are in discussions with the hospital authorities," said Raghavendra Prasad, chief engineer, quality control division, BBMP.
Impact on City's Congested Roads
The flyover aims to make seven major junctions signal-free, thereby significantly improving travel times across one of the most congested areas of the city. Upon completion, it will transform mobility across the Koramangala-Ejipura-Madivala corridor.
- Conclusion:
After nearly eight years of delays and setbacks, Bengaluru's Ejipura flyover project is finally moving towards completion. With 60% of the construction complete and a new contractor on board, BBMP is confident of delivering it by the end of this year. The completion of this project will bring significant relief to commuters who travel through one of the city's most congested areas.