Bangalore: In what could be a major infrastructural relief for information technology companies housed in the electronic city on the outskirts of Bangalore, an elevated nine km structure would be created between Bangalore and the hub of IT activities in India's silicon valley.

A special purpose vehicle would be floated for the purpose in which the Association of the companies located in the Electronic City would hold a 33.3 per cent equity stake, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways T R Baalu told a news conference today (Sep 27, 2004).

The remaining 66.6 per cent would be held by the National Highways Authority of India and the State Government, he said in the presence of Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Water Resources Minister M Mallikarjuna Kharge.

The announcement comes barely weeks after IT companies raised a hue and cry over traffic snarls and choked roads in the area. Among those who complained about the below-par road infrastructure were IT majors Infosys and Wipro.

The project, over the existing roads, would cost around Rs 400 crore, and a detailed project report in this regard would be completed by March 31, with laying of the foundation stone planned for April 2, Baalu said.

The toll-and-go project would be completed in not more than two years, the Minister added.