Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has decided to delay the demolition of the Jayadeva flyover in the city by at least four to five months, a report in the Deccan Herald says. As per BMRCL’s original plan, demolition of the flyover, which was build around 11 years ago, was slated to start in January this year. A five level interchange structure that includes a road-cum rail flyover from Silk Board Junction to Ragigudda temple has been envisaged to replace the flyover.

In December, traffic authorities gave a no-objection certificate to BMRCL to demolish the flyover and start the construction of an elevated road from Silk Board Junction to Ragigudda temple and a proposed interchange Metro station connecting RV Road-Bommasandra line and Gottigere-Nagawara line of Phase II of Namma Metro.

The proposed five level interchange includes an existing underpass, a ground level road, an elevated road that provides for an uninterrupted travel from city's infamous traffic hot spot Silk Board Junction to Ragigudda temple at level 2, a concourse level where the station and ticketing counters will be is next on the pile at level 3, the RV Road- Bommasandra extension line of Namma Metro at level 4 and a new Gottigere-Nagawara metro line at the roof (level 5).

The decision to defer the demolition was taken to ensure that lakhs of people who use the flyover are not put to unnecessary inconvenience, the Deccan Herald report quoted a senior official of BMRCL as saying.

BMRCL source also indicated pressure from political leaders to delay the demolition. The dates for the Assembly elections are likely to be announced today. The demolition of the flyover would have caused tremendous disruption of traffic and inconvenience to the people, fueling dissatisfaction ahead of the election.