 The
Indian Institute of Science has for long been known for its contribution
to science. But now IISc has been contributing its mite to Bangalore's
infrastructure. From underpass systems to an ongoing ambitious project
to create elegant pedestrian skywalks in the city. One of the most exciting infrastructure projects on hand
at IISc is the one to create skywalks for the Bangalore City Corporation.
"A skywalk is not a regular concrete pedestrian over
bridge, but an elegant walkway offering ample space for pedestrians and
advertisers," says senior civil engineering professor at IISc B.
R. Srinivas Murthy.
The civil engineering department at IISc has now developed
a final design for the skywalks in Bangalore and has transferred them
to a private engineering company who will set it up for the BCC.
It is a reusable, modular pre-fabricated type of skywalk,
made of steel pipes, which can be erected quickly and is portable in nature.
The initial skywalks however will function merely as glorified pedestrian
over bridges. The first skywalk for the city is scheduled to be in place
in two months, while a total of eight is expected to be ready by the year
end. At present due to the cost factor the maximum length is only 28 meters.
In 1998, scientists from the civil engineering department
of IISc created underpass systems (subways for vehicles and pedestrians)
to link portions of their campus. Regular traffic flow continued on the
busy roads even as engineers burrowed away to create the subways. They
had used a system where a pre-cast box is pushed through the ground with
a hydraulic jack - tunneling like burrowing animals.
With the success of this project, IISc has received offers
to implement similar underpasses in the city and places like Pune and
Coimbatore.
The skywalks scheduled to be completed are at:
1. Lalbagh Main Gate
2. Jayanagar 30th Cross bus stand
3. Cunningham Road, near Wockhardt
4. K. H. Road, Shantinagar bus terminal
5. Airport Road, near Kemp Fort
6. Residency Road,near Bishop Cotton Boys School
7. R. V. Road, near Vijaya College
8. West of Chord Road, near Iskcon Temple
Source: www.timesofindia.com
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4:08:16 PM 
Coir
