Caught in a Limbo: Unfinished ramps delay full benefits of double-decker flyover, rotary flyover at Baiyappanahalli fails to take off

:

Despite the commissioning of Namma Metro’s Yellow Line, large sections of the double-decker flyover that runs alongside the elevated corridor remain incomplete, continuing to test the patience of thousands of daily commuters. In particular, the 1.37-km stretch of ramps connecting HSR Layout with Ragigudda and BTM Layout is still under construction, rendering a critical portion of the flyover unusable.

Officials have now said that the pending work is unlikely to be completed before January 2026.

Constructed by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) at an estimated cost of ₹449 crore, the 5.12-km-double-decker flyover was conceived as a major intervention to decongest Central Silk Board junction, one of Bengaluru’s busiest traffic choke points. The primary signal-free corridor linking Ragigudda to the Silk Board junction was opened in July 2024. However, nearly one-and -a-half years later, the unfinished ramps continue to be ineffective.

The prolonged delay has drawn sharp criticism from regular commuters, many of whom say the flyover has fallen short of expectations. Ramkumar S., a resident of BTM Layout who travels daily to his workplace in HSR Layout, said that the incomplete ramps have forced motorists to continue using crowded surface roads.

Manjunath K.M., a Banashankari resident who uses this corridor while commuting to Bellandur, said: “Double-decker flyover is one of the city’s most promising infrastructure projects, but its partial opening had limited the usefulness. A structure meant to streamline travel continues to remain partly functional long after it was opened to traffic.”

The incomplete ramps were originally slated for completion by June 2025. Speaking to The Hindu, a BMRCL official said most of the work has now been carried out and the remaining sections are expected to be commissioned by January 2026. However, no firm timeline has been announced.

Silk Board double-decker flyover

Implementing agency: Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited

Total length: 5.12 km

Estimated cost: ₹449 crore

Objective: Decongest Central Silk Board junction and provide a signal-free corridor

Vikram Rai, a resident of BTM Layout, said the unfinished ramps have begun serving an unintended purpose. He said that during early mornings, people use the near-complete structures as walking or jogging tracks. “For residents, it is frustrating to see infrastructure that appears almost ready lying idle despite public investment and extensive publicity. With metro services running on the Yellow Line, the delay in completing the flyover highlights persistent issues in project execution across the city,” Mr Rai added.

The double-decker flyover incorporates a series of loops and ramps designed to integrate with the Yellow Line’s elevated metro viaduct. The structure passes through three major locations, Jayadeva Hospital, BTM Layout, and Silk Board junction and is planned to include five ramps in total.

At present, ramps A, B and C are operational. Ramp A connects the Ragigudda metro station to Hosur Road, while ramp B branches off from ramp A towards HSR Layout. Ramp C links BTM Layout to Hosur Road and HSR Layout through ramp A. The remaining two ramps are still under construction. Ramp D, which will be elevated above ramp A and the metro line, is intended to provide a direct connection from HSR Layout to Ragigudda. Ramp E is designed to descend from HSR Layout towards BTM Layout.

Rotary flyover

Meanwhile, despite being envisioned as a key solution to traffic congestion, Bengaluru’s proposed elevated rotary flyover near Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal at Baiyappanahalli has failed to move beyond the planning stage, even years after the project was announced.

The city’s first such rotary flyover has been stalled since the contract process ran into repeated hurdles, primarily owing to unusually high bids submitted during multiple rounds of tendering, according to officials.

The project was announced in 2017–18 under the Nagarothana scheme, with an estimated outlay of ₹360 crore. It was intended to streamline vehicular movement and decongest one of the busiest stretches in east Bengaluru. Although tenders were floated and a foundation stone was laid, actual construction is yet to commence.

Vignesh Kumar, a local resident from Maruthi Seva Nagar, said the prolonged delay has only worsened commuting conditions. “The reasons for the delay are unclear, but motorists are bearing the brunt. Traffic congestion during peak hours has become unbearable,” he said.

According to Mr. Kumar, early execution of the proposed rotary flyover could have significantly reduced congestion on the stretch.

(This is the second of a multi-part series)

Published – December 16, 2025 07:00 am IST

Source link

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *