After years of delays, long-pending underpass work finally restarts, raising hopes for commuters
BENGALURU
After being delayed for more than a decade, construction of the underpass at Kanteerava Studio Junction on the Outer Ring Road near the Dr Rajkumar Memorial in northwestern Bengaluru has finally regained momentum. The project, taken up by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), is seen as a crucial solution to ease traffic congestion and improve safety at what has long been a dangerous junction for both motorists and pedestrians.
The underpass connects Peenya on one side with the Kanteerava Studio main road leading towards Nandini Layout on the other. Work on the project began in 2011 with an initial estimate of ₹47.4 crore, excluding land acquisition costs. Over the past 14 years, nearly ₹100 crore has been spent, yet the structure remains incomplete due to prolonged litigation and delays in acquiring land.
According to BDA officials, about ₹39 crore has so far been spent on construction, while land acquisition costs have reached nearly ₹60 crore, taking the total expenditure to around ₹99 crore. At present, the ramp on the Peenya side and the central portion of the underpass beneath the Outer Ring Road are complete. Work on the remaining ramp, which had been stalled for years, has finally begun after utility lines were shifted and excavation commenced.
A senior BDA official said the remaining work could be completed within six months, though junior engineers estimate that it may take closer to 10 months. The prolonged delay had turned the junction into a traffic nightmare, with frequent accidents reported over the years.
The area above the underpass had been used as a parking zone for auto-tippers collecting solid waste and other vehicles, but it was recently cleared to facilitate construction. Meanwhile, the existing ramp from the Peenya side has become a dumping ground for construction debris, further complicating traffic movement. Surrounding roads are riddled with potholes, posing additional risks to commuters.
Traffic police personnel said they have repeatedly written to officials of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) seeking repairs, but received little response. “Many vehicles collide while trying to avoid potholes. We are then left to deal with accidents and casualties,” a traffic policeman said, adding that officers were forced to temporarily fill potholes with debris and soil in the absence of official action.
With work finally resuming, commuters now hope the underpass will soon be completed and bring long-awaited relief to this accident-prone stretch.
