Bengaluru's 800-Metre Flyover Plan Aims to Ease Iblur Junction Congestion
The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has unveiled an ambitious proposal to construct an 800-metre-long flyover between HSR Layout and Bellandur on the Outer Ring Road (ORR). This strategic infrastructure project is specifically designed to address the persistent traffic bottlenecks at Iblur Junction, with the goal of reducing travel time for commuters by an estimated 10 to 15 minutes.
Addressing a Critical Infrastructure Gap
Currently, Bengaluru benefits from a flyover that facilitates signal-free movement from Kadubeesanahalli to Silk Board. However, a significant gap exists in the parallel infrastructure intended for traffic flowing from Silk Board towards Marathahalli, which was never constructed. This omission has led to daily traffic pile-ups at the Iblur signal, where vehicles from multiple directions—including Sarjapur Road, Koramangala, Silk Board, and ORR—converge, creating severe congestion that often spills over to the Agara and HSR flyovers during peak hours.
Project Details and Administrative Review
The proposed flyover aims to provide uninterrupted, signal-free movement on ORR, effectively bridging this long-standing gap in the city's traffic management system. During a recent review on Tuesday, GBA chief commissioner Maheshwar Rao personally inspected Iblur Junction and directed engineers to prepare a comprehensive feasibility report before any construction commences. This step underscores the authority's commitment to ensuring the project's viability and effectiveness.
Jurisdictional and Funding Considerations
The flyover will span two city corporations: the Kadubeesanahalli side falls under the jurisdiction of Bengaluru East Corporation, while the HSR Layout side is managed by South Bengaluru Corporation. Despite crossing these two administrative boundaries, only one corporation will be responsible for the construction. The commissioners of both corporations will collaborate to determine which entity executes the project, with the decision likely influenced by budget availability.
In terms of funding, the flyover will not be integrated into the existing Rs 400-crore ORR makeover project. Instead, it will be financed separately, potentially through the responsible city corporation or with additional support from the government, ensuring dedicated resources for this critical initiative.
Significance and Expected Outcomes
This project holds particular importance for Bengaluru's IT corridor, as it is expected to significantly enhance connectivity for commuters traveling between key areas such as HSR Layout, Bellandur, Silk Board, and Marathahalli. Once completed, the flyover is anticipated to:
- Alleviate congestion at Iblur Junction
- Reduce travel delays for thousands of daily commuters
- Improve overall traffic flow along the Outer Ring Road
By addressing one of the city's most notorious traffic choke points, this initiative represents a proactive step toward smoother urban mobility in Bengaluru, benefiting both residents and the local economy.