The City will have a dedicated seven-kilometre cycle lane from M G Road to Baiyappanahalli by the end of this year, if everything goes as planned.
The stretch will help many peddle their way to work along the stretch. Starting from M G Road, the cycle lane will extend along the Metro Reach I as a pilot project, marking the beginning of the Tendersure concept which was ratified in the State budget this year.
As part of the Rs 64-crore road upgradation project, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) will share the costs on a 50:50 basis to upgrade roads, footpaths and provide the cycle lane. The concept of cycle lane - from Palace Grounds to Jayanagar - has been much publicised by BBMP. But, it has not been realised till date.
Palike officials told Deccan Herald that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is in its final stages for the road upgradation project.
“Tenders will be called for the project in the next two months,” said the official.
Palike officials said that the road upgradation will also include provisions for separate ducts for utility lines along the entire stretch.
“It is a massive project which will be taken up in a phased manner. Since the route from M G Road to Baiyappanahalli is an extremely busy stretch, it involves traffic diversions and utility line shifting,” said the official. The carriageway of the road is also expected to be either concreted or upgraded to international standards. Also, the footpaths will have new tiles.
While it is expected that the project will commence as part of the BBMP budget for 2012-13, there has been no timeframe set for the upgradation of the road. “We cannot fix a timeline as the procedures are lengthy. Nonetheless, the project will commence this year itself,” said the official.