BBMP pushing for many more FOBs, skywalks in PPP mode

With traffic density on the Bengaluru city roads increasing by the day, pedestrian crossing on the roads is fraught with risks for both pedestrians and the motorists. To address this issue, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has planned for some 100 foot overbridges (FOB) and skywalks on the city roads. Eight FOBs and skywalks have become operational and another two – on Cubbon Road and Old Airport Road – will be opened to pedestrians this month. Prabhakara B, Executive Engineer, BBMP, told Media4Growth that work on 6-7 FOBs are in progress in the city. The City Council has approved 16 and work order will be issued shortly. The civic body had also called for tender for 80 FOBs/skywalks. The response to the tender is to be ascertained.

Prabhakara explained that PPP is the best option for developing such public utilities as the civic body may not have the requisite financial resources to meet the total development costs. A single FOB/skywalk development would cost in the region of Rs 2-3 crore. In terms of revenue realisations for the civic body, a single FOB could yield about Rs 4.5 lakh as ground rent and upwards of Rs 8 lakh per annum as advertising tax. The ad rights and maintenance of these utilities are awarded to the respective agencies for 20 years plus.

As regards the locations where these utilities are to come up, BBMP had engaged a consultant to conduct the feasibility survey. Inputs have also been taken from the Traffic Police and local corporators and MLAs on specific local needs.

BBMP is also planning to engage advertising firms for developing and maintaining roadside parking avenues in the city, said Prabhakara.