Chikkamagaluru: In an unfortunate incident reported from Katinagere in Azzampur Taluk, an 18-months old infant died while several others sustained injuries after the bus overturned on the road, allegedly due to the driver’s neglect.

The deceased infant has been identified as Suhas. The bus was reportedly heading towards Chitradurga from Dharmasthala when the incident took place.

According to the reports, the bus conductor was driving the bus after the bus driver fell asleep. The conductor reportedly lost control over the vehicle which resulted in the accident. Suhas who sustained severe injuries in the accident, breathed his last on the spot.

Several others sustained injuries and were rushed to Azzampur Hospital for treatment.

A case in this regard has been registered at Azzampur Police Station.

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Bengaluru: The Adani Group has become the lowest bidder for both packages of the proposed 16.75-km tunnel road project in Bengaluru, according to sources familiar with the bids opened by Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (B-SMILE).

According to a report published by Deccan Herald on Monday, the government estimated the entire project to cost Rs 17,698 crore, while the Adani Group has quoted Rs 22,267 crore. The ports-to-power conglomerate’s bid is about 24% higher for the first package and 28% higher for the second than the government’s estimates, a gap that could prompt authorities to seek the state Cabinet’s approval on the tenders’ fate.

M Maheshwar Rao, Chief Commissioner of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), who is also the Managing Director of B-SMILE, declined to comment.

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In all, four infrastructure companies had participated in the tenders for the project, which has been proposed under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model, with 40% funding from the government and the remaining investment to be raised by the private concessionaire.

During the technical evaluation, the Adani Group and the Hyderabad-based Vishwa Samudra Engineering Ltd qualified for the financial round.

According to the report, Dilip Buildcon was disqualified due to a clause that bars firms linked to collapsed bridges or tunnels, while Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) was rejected because its joint venture (JV) partner did not meet technical requirements.

With only two companies left in the fray, the Adani Group emerged as the lowest bidder, ahead of Vishwa Samudra.

The tunnel project officially named the North–South underground corridor, is part of the Congress government’s ambitious to ease Bengaluru’s traffic congestion by building two major underground roads (totalling 40 km) along with 13 flyovers and elevated corridors.

The project is the brainchild of Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, who is also the Bengaluru development minister.

The proposal, however, has faced criticism and political opposition, especially from senior BJP leaders, who object to the alignment that requires acquiring six acres of Lalbagh Botanical Garden, a historic green space.

As per the report, Urban mobility experts have also warned that the tunnel corridor may clash with the alignment of Namma Metro’s Phase 3A, possibly affecting the metro expansion.