Hebbal flyover ramp nears completion amid ongoing traffic woes

The long-awaited ramp on Hebbal flyover, aimed at easing traffic from KR Puram to Mehkri Circle and central Bengaluru, is nearing completion.

Though the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) had set an April 30 deadline, the ramp is now expected to open in early May. Construction delays have worsened traffic on the already congested stretch. Commuters, including private employees like Navaneeth Iyer, have voiced frustration over prolonged delays and dust from construction.

“Even in the afternoon, it takes nearly 20 minutes to cross Hebbal,” Iyer said. BDA Commissioner Jayaram stated that only minor tasks, such as laying concrete slabs under railway supervision, remain.

However, experts warn that the ramp may not solve the flyover’s core congestion problem, especially near Esteem Mall, where airport-bound vehicles merge.

A previous BDA plan for a ramp from Esteem Mall to Baptist Hospital was dropped over congestion concerns. Auto drivers like Guruprasad feel the ramp will mostly benefit IT professionals from the Outer Ring Road, rather than airport or Yelahanka commuters.

 Bengaluru Traffic Police believe the new ramp could reduce pressure on existing loops by up to 40%. But traffic expert Ashish Verma from IISc cautioned that unless vehicle growth is addressed, such fixes offer only short-term relief. Residents hope for long-term traffic solutions as congestion remains a daily struggle despite ongoing infrastructure upgrades across the city.