The Hindu reports that the BBMP or the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagar Palike is seeking to patent a novel technology which allows it to build an underpass for a fraction of its previous cost. While the usual cost of an underpass is usually Rs. 20 crores the novel technology would reduce costs to a mere Rs. 1 crore! The other huge advantage of these underpasses is that they take significantly lesser time to construct – a huge advantage in congested cities such as
While the Hindu report was not very detailed, the technology seems to be based on extensively pre-fabricated structures which are later assembled at the site. A
A precast factory-built unit will be erected at the site. The unit is buried into the earth at an appropriate depth. Then necessary approaches will be given to the underpass. In all, six such underpasses will be constructed by BBMP in the next few days. None of the news reports were clear on what exactly is novel in this technology because pre-fab constructions have been around for quite some time now.
This technology apparently has caused quite a buzz in the construction world leading to several enquiries because of which the BBMP is seeking to patent the technology and earn royalties by licensing it out to other municipal corporations.
