Bengaluru: After more than a decade of delays, construction has finally commenced on the long-awaited Hope Farm Junction underpass in east Bengaluru. The civic corporation has set a roughly 200-day deadline to complete the project, which is expected to bring significant relief to thousands of daily commuters navigating one of Whitefield's worst traffic choke points.
Project Overview and Cost
The underpass, first proposed over 11 years ago, is designed to make the junction signal-free for a major portion of traffic movement. The project is estimated to cost around Rs 35 crore. While groundwork at Hope Farm has begun, work at two other planned locations—Big Bazaar Junction and Hoodi flyover—has yet to start, despite all three being part of a larger Rs 140-crore infrastructure package conceived nearly a decade ago.
Current Traffic Woes
At present, vehicles from four major corridors—Whitefield, Kadugodi, ITPL, and Chandapura—converge at Hope Farm Junction, creating severe bottlenecks during both peak and non-peak hours. Commuters often endure signal cycles lasting nearly 120 seconds, leading to long queues and daily frustration.
Why the Delay Lasted a Decade
Engineers from the Bengaluru East civic corporation cite prolonged land acquisition hurdles as the primary obstacle. The project involves acquiring six private properties, and negotiations over compensation—whether through Transferable Development Rights (TDR) or direct cash payments—remained unresolved for years. “We are now nearing resolution and hope to move forward faster,” said an official associated with the project.
Design and Traffic Flow
The 300-metre underpass is designed to make Hope Farm Junction signal-free for vehicles travelling between Whitefield and Kadugodi. Vehicles moving between ITPL and Chandapura will continue on the surface carriageway, while traffic between Whitefield and Kadugodi will pass through the grade separator below, reducing conflict points at the junction.
Environmental Impact: Trees to Be Cut or Moved
The project involves cutting and relocating nearly 30 trees. According to engineers, the tree expert committee has granted permission to cut a limited number while relocating those that can be preserved. Around eight trees have already been removed, and approvals for the remaining will be sought in stages as land acquisition progresses. Retaining wall construction has begun on the Kadugodi side after tree clearance, and service roads are being created along one side of the Whitefield-bound stretch to maintain traffic flow during construction. Work on the opposite carriageway is yet to begin.
Part of Larger Rs 140-Crore Mobility Plan
The Hope Farm underpass is one component of a larger Rs 140-crore traffic decongestion package for Bengaluru's eastern corridor. The package includes two underpasses—at Hope Farm and Big Bazaar junctions—along with a flyover at Hoodi, all proposed to tackle worsening congestion in Whitefield. However, there has been little to no physical progress at the Big Bazaar underpass and Hoodi flyover sites.
Citizens Remain Sceptical
Despite welcoming the start of construction, some residents doubt whether the project will adequately solve long-term traffic issues. Charan, a personal branding consultant from Hoodi, called Hope Farm Junction one of the worst choke points for motorists, including two-wheeler riders. “The junction is one of the worst choke points during mornings and evenings. My concern is whether traffic assessments done years ago still reflect today’s traffic volume. Construction itself will worsen the situation before it gets better, especially with monsoon rains,” he said. He added that heavy movement of trucks, BMTC buses, corporate buses, and school buses through the intersection could continue slowing movement even after the underpass opens.
Another Whitefield resident, Srinivas Reddy, said temporary arrangements around the construction zone are currently inadequate to handle existing traffic volumes. “Alternative routes should be clearly published for commuters. Authorities should also better utilise relinquished land along the stretch instead of allowing portions to remain underutilised,” he said, adding that stricter action against roadside parking violations would also help ease congestion during construction.
For now, commuters using Hope Farm Junction may have to brace for several more months of inconvenience as work finally begins on a project that many believe should have been completed years ago.
