Construction of the Hebbal elevated road and connected tunnel project has begun on Ballari Road in Bengaluru, creating severe traffic congestion throughout the day and forcing authorities to restrict buses and goods vehicles on one of the city’s key airport routes.
The Bengaluru Development Authority started work on Friday between the Agricultural University quarters on Ballari Road and Mekhri Circle. Traffic that was earlier concentrated mainly during the morning and evening peaks has extended across the day, according to a report by Prajavani. Roads near the Science Gallery, Veterinary College and Central Bureau of Investigation quarters have also reported heavy congestion.
Vehicles entering Ballari Road from RT Nagar, HMT Layout and Anandnagar through Cross Roads 10, 11, 12 and 13 have been held up for more than 30 minutes. Commuters travelling from the Hebbal flyover towards the city through Guttahalli Main Road, Sankey Road and Palace Road have reportedly taken more than an hour.
Traffic police told Prajavani that preparations for the project had been under way for several days, but the renovation of footpaths along the service roads was not complete. As a result, congestion has intensified. Police said traffic was expected to remain heavy from 8am to 9pm.
Because of the congestion, Bengaluru Traffic Police has restricted the movement of KSRTC buses, private buses and all types of goods vehicles on Ballari Road. Motorists have been advised to use alternative routes, although police said many drivers were continuing to use the main road. Officers from the Sadashivanagar and Sanjaynagar traffic stations have been deployed to manage the flow.
Travellers heading to Kempegowda International Airport through Hebbal have been directed to use Old High Grounds Junction, Kalpana Junction, Cantonment railway station, Tannery Road and Nagawara Road. From Yeshwanthpur, airport-bound vehicles have been advised to take Mattikere Road, BEL Circle and the Outer Ring Road. Direction boards have been installed along the routes.
Vehicles travelling from the airport towards central Bengaluru have been directed from Hebbal Junction through Nagawara, Bamboo Bazaar and Queen’s Road, or through Hebbal Ring Road, Kuvempu Circle, Goraguntepalya and Dr Rajkumar Road. Traffic police have also advised motorists from Yeshwanthpur to use the BEL Junction, Maramma Circle and Margosa Road route.
For traffic moving from Hebbal towards the city, police have instructed motorists to use the service road from in front of Baptist Hospital up to the CBI quarters after descending from the Hebbal flyover. Vehicles travelling from Hebbal towards Anandnagar and RT Nagar have also been asked to remain on the service road near Baptist Hospital.
The wider project includes a 2.22-kilometre, three-lane twin tunnel beginning at the Hebbal flyover junction and ending near the Veterinary College. From there to Mekhri Circle, a 1.78-kilometre, four-lane elevated road is planned using the cut-and-cover method. The project cost is ₹2,215 crore, and the BDA has set a target of completing the work within 18 months.
