Bengaluru Plans Bailey Bridges To Ease Traffic At Project Sites
Bengaluru’s civic authorities are exploring the deployment of Bailey bridges, a portable and prefabricated bridge technology, to manage crippling congestion caused by simultaneous infrastructure projects across the city. Officials from the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) confirmed that the modular structures are being assessed as a short-term mobility solution in areas where traffic flow is severely disrupted.
Bailey bridges, commonly used in disaster-hit regions to reconnect washed-out roads, are now being examined as an urban traffic tool. According to officials, the concept remains under consideration, largely due to cost and logistical concerns. Each bridge is estimated to require around ₹5 crore and at least a week to assemble a process that could itself add to public inconvenience during installation. Still, the authority is evaluating feasibility, given the city’s urgent need for relief at bottlenecked stretches.
The city’s congestion is being compounded by an unprecedented overlap of civic works. At least half a dozen agencies are simultaneously executing major infrastructure upgrades, including Metro expansions, road widening, stormwater drain repair, and utility shifts. Officials acknowledged that this multilayered construction push is accelerating damage to road surfaces and triggering the recurrence of potholes despite frequent patchwork.
To address the crisis, the GBA has outlined a larger programme of whitetopping, a process that replaces traditional asphalt with concrete surfaces for greater durability. Already, 500 km of Bengaluru’s arterial roads have been whitetopped, another 500 km is under execution, and the long-term target is 1,500 km. While whitetopping is expected to provide a sustainable fix, the city is still grappling with the immediate challenges of flooded roads and recurrent potholes in areas like Bannerghatta Road, J.C. Road, and the Silk Board corridor.
Officials pointed out that the consideration of Bailey bridges is part of an experimental approach. A Kolkata-based manufacturer has been identified as a potential supplier, while local start-ups offering innovative prefabricated traffic management solutions are also being encouraged. The aim, they said, is not only to offer commuters smoother travel during construction disruptions but also to test modular methods that align with sustainable and resource-efficient infrastructure goals.
However, experts caution that temporary structures cannot substitute systemic upgrades. The assembly process and costs may outweigh the short-term benefits unless deployed strategically in high-density project sites. As a result, Bailey bridges are likely to be used selectively rather than citywide.For Bengaluru’s commuters, already facing extended travel times and vehicle wear-and-tear, the exploration of such alternatives signals that the city is willing to experiment with unconventional methods. While the whitetopping plan reflects a push towards long-term resilience, Bailey bridges may provide a stop-gap relief to citizens frustrated by mounting congestion.
