The Karnataka state government is actively deliberating the construction of a dedicated 2-kilometre flyover within the sprawling Bangalore University Jnanabharathi campus. This proposed elevated corridor is designed to significantly streamline external traffic flow, thereby ensuring paramount student safety and safeguarding the academic sanctity of the learning environment by effectively segregating public vehicles from internal campus roads.
This forward-thinking urban planning initiative aims to address a critical infrastructure challenge within a major educational hub. The Jnanabharathi campus, encompassing a vast 1,200 acres, serves as a crucial transit point with four major entry points. Critically, its main gate connects the heavily trafficked Mysuru Road to Ullal Road. The Department of Higher Education has tabled a proposal for a flyover precisely connecting these two arterial roads, with the express aim of facilitating smoother and unhindered access for external commuters. Simultaneously, this infrastructure upgrade seeks to minimise disruptions to the vibrant academic life and research pursuits conducted within the university grounds. This balance between urban connectivity and academic focus is a hallmark of sustainable city planning.
According to university officials, the campus is home to 54 diverse academic departments and serves thousands of students, a substantial number of whom reside in proximate hostels. The incessant daily movement of public vehicles through campus, particularly during peak hours, has precipitated a noticeable decline in the overall learning environment. This constant vehicular presence has led to increased levels of air and noise pollution, aggravating traffic congestion and profoundly impacting the quality of academic pursuits. A concerning surge in road accidents, tragically including the loss of a university student’s life after being struck by a BMTC bus, has raised urgent alarms, necessitating a decisive intervention.
Acknowledging the severity of these concerns, the government has identified the construction of this flyover as a viable and enduring long-term solution. The Higher Education Department is currently engaged in the meticulous preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR), a crucial document that will comprehensively outline both the technical specifications and the financial implications of the project. Once this DPR is finalised, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will undertake a thorough evaluation of the estimated costs and overall feasibility. Given the proposed length and the complexity of integrating it within an existing campus, officials anticipate that the budget for this undertaking will be substantial, necessitating careful fiscal planning.
Higher Education Minister Dr M C Sudhakar candidly acknowledged the complex challenges. He stated that the government is earnestly considering the flyover as a pragmatic alternative to banning public vehicles outright, which he deemed “not feasible” given the campus’s role as a public thoroughfare. This approach aims to avoid inconveniencing both students and the general public, seeking a balanced solution. Following the tragic accident, the university had briefly suspended operations, and while public protests led to the daytime reopening of campus gates, night-time restrictions remain. Despite these measures, students continue to report significant disturbances from public vehicles using campus roads as shortcuts, especially the Mysuru Road to Ullal Main Road route. Complaints range from persistent noise disruption during classes to illegal parking and direct interference with academic activities. Students have consistently advocated for a complete ban on public vehicles, drawing parallels with other large Indian university campuses that effectively restrict external traffic.
This proposed infrastructure development aligns perfectly with the broader agenda of creating zero-net carbon, eco-friendly, sustainable, gender-neutral, and equitable cities. By diverting through-traffic, the flyover will significantly reduce vehicular emissions and noise pollution within the campus, fostering a healthier and more conducive environment for learning and well-being. Enhanced safety measures protect all campus users, promoting gender-neutral access to education and amenities. Furthermore, by improving traffic flow, it contributes to overall urban efficiency, reducing commuter stress and promoting a more sustainable urban mobility paradigm. The success of this project will serve as a model for integrating vital urban infrastructure with the unique requirements of educational institutions, demonstrating how targeted investments can yield profound societal and environmental benefits.
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