Frustration in Baiyappanahalli: Unfinished Ramps Delay Full Benefits of Double-Decker Flyover!
Large sections of the double-decker flyover alongside Namma Metro’s Yellow Line remain incomplete, frustrating thousands of daily commuters. Specifically, the 1.37-kilometer stretch of ramps connecting HSR Layout with Ragigudda and BTM Layout is still under construction, leaving a critical segment of the flyover unusable. Officials now report that the remaining work is unlikely to be completed before January 2026.
Constructed by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) at an estimated cost of ₹449 crore, the 5.12-km double-decker flyover was designed to alleviate congestion at the notoriously busy Central Silk Board junction. While the primary signal-free corridor linking Ragigudda to Silk Board was inaugurated in July 2024, the unfinished ramps render the project far less effective more than a year later.
The delays have sparked disappointment among regular commuters. Ramkumar S., a resident of BTM Layout, emphasized that the incomplete ramps force motorists onto already congested surface roads. Fellow commuter Manjunath K.M. of Banashankari echoed these sentiments, mentioning that a project once seen as a transformative infrastructure solution now feels only partially functional.
Originally slated for completion by June 2025, BMRCL officials acknowledged that the majority of the work has been completed, but no definitive timeline has been established for the remaining segments. Vikram Rai, another BTM Layout resident, noted an ironic twist: the near-complete ramps have become informal walking and jogging tracks during early mornings, adding a layer of frustration for locals. “It’s disheartening to see infrastructure that looks ready lying idle after significant public investment and promotion,” Rai remarked.
The double-decker flyover includes multiple loops and ramps designed to work in tandem with the Yellow Line’s elevated metro viaduct. It connects major locations such as Jayadeva Hospital, BTM Layout, and Silk Board junction, with plans for five ramps in total. Currently, ramps A, B, and C are operational. Ramp A links the Ragigudda metro station to Hosur Road, while ramp B extends towards HSR Layout. Ramp C connects BTM Layout with Hosur Road and HSR Layout through ramp A. The remaining ramps, D and E, which aim to provide direct and descending flows between HSR Layout and BTM Layout, are still under construction.
Meanwhile, another ambitious project-a proposed elevated rotary flyover near the Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal at Baiyappanahalli-has stalled in the planning phase for years. Announced as a pivotal solution to traffic issues, the project is mired in complications due to consistently high bid amounts in the tendering process. Initially unveiled under the Nagarothana scheme in 2017–18, the rotary flyover was intended to ease congestion in one of east Bengaluru’s busiest corridors. Although the tendering process commenced and a foundation stone was laid, physical construction has yet to start.
Vignesh Kumar, a local resident in Maruthi Seva Nagar, expressed frustration over the stagnation, stating that the lack of progress has only intensified existing traffic woes. He noted, “The reasons behind the delay remain unclear, but commuters are suffering. Traffic congestion during rush hours is becoming unbearable.” Kumar believes timely execution of the rotary flyover could have mitigated some of the traffic turmoil.
As Bengaluru continues to grapple with infrastructural delays, the incomplete flyover and stalled projects serve as reminders of the pressing need for effective project management in the city’s ongoing development efforts.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/caught-in-a-limbo-unfinished-ramps-delay-full-benefits-of-double-decker-flyover-rotary-flyover-at-baiyappanahalli-fails-to-take-off/article70395423.ece
Category : Bengaluru
Tags:
Publish Date: 2025-12-16 07:00:00