Hassan’s railway overbridge near the New Bus Stand opened to traffic on both sides on Friday, ending a seven-year wait for the completion of the nearly one-kilometre project and improving movement between Narasimharaja Circle and the District Court complex.
The opening is expected to ease congestion for motorists travelling towards the New Bus Stand, where traffic was affected whenever the nearby railway gate was closed. The development also comes during the Hasanamba Jatra Mahotsava, when the city sees increased movement of commuters and devotees.
The railway overbridge project began in 2019 after the tender process was initiated in 2018. It was originally scheduled for completion by March 2022, but repeated delays extended the construction period. The first two-lane section was opened in 2023, while the remaining section stayed incomplete and continued to cause inconvenience to road users.
The project’s estimated cost has also increased during its prolonged execution. It was initially approved at Rs 42 crore, with the state government and the Railways agreeing to share the cost equally. The revised estimate later rose to Rs 72 crore and subsequently to Rs 98 crore.
With both sides now open, vehicles can use the full bridge connection between Narasimharaja Circle and the District Court area without depending solely on the railway-level crossing. The overbridge is intended to provide a grade-separated route for traffic and reduce delays caused by trains passing through the crossing.
However, the project is not fully complete. Service flyover sections connecting the main bridge to the New Bus Stand and the Housing Board areas are still under construction. Officials said these sections are expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Until those links are finished, access from the bridge to the adjoining neighbourhoods will continue to depend on the portions already available and the ongoing construction arrangements. The final service connections are expected to complete the planned approach network around the overbridge.
The opening therefore marks the operational completion of the main bridge carriageways, while associated approach infrastructure remains pending. The next stated milestone is the completion of the service flyover sections by year-end.
