Commuters navigating Bengaluru's notoriously congested Outer Ring Road (ORR) may soon experience significant relief, as the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has proposed constructing an 800-metre-long flyover connecting HSR Layout and Bellandur. This strategic infrastructure project aims to bypass the heavily clogged Iblur Junction, potentially saving daily travelers 10 to 15 minutes of precious travel time.
The Persistent Bottleneck at Iblur Junction
Currently, a flyover from Kadubeesanahalli towards Silk Board facilitates signal-free movement for vehicles heading in that direction, allowing commuters to completely avoid the Iblur signal. However, a critical missing piece has exacerbated traffic woes: a parallel flyover for traffic moving from Silk Board towards Marathahalli, which was originally planned alongside the existing structure, was never constructed.
The absence of this crucial grade separator has transformed Iblur Junction into one of the most severe bottlenecks on the entire Outer Ring Road. With no dedicated flyover from Agara towards Marathahalli, vehicles converging from multiple directions—including Sarjapur Road, Koramangala, Silk Board, and ORR itself—are forced to halt at the Iblur signal, resulting in daily traffic pile-ups that can stretch for kilometers.
Spillover Effects and Peak Hour Chaos
The congestion at Iblur Junction frequently spills backward, choking the Agara flyover and extending tailbacks all the way to the HSR flyover during morning and evening peak hours. This cascading effect not only delays commuters but also increases fuel consumption and pollution levels across the corridor.
Proposed Solution: Signal-Free Movement on ORR
The newly proposed flyover is designed to provide uninterrupted, signal-free movement on ORR, specifically targeting the chronic congestion at Iblur Junction. While urban planners note that this parallel flyover should ideally have been constructed simultaneously with the first one, the GBA is now taking decisive steps to address this long-pending infrastructure gap.
During a comprehensive review conducted on Tuesday, GBA chief commissioner Maheshwar Rao personally inspected the problematic junction and directed engineering teams to prepare a detailed feasibility report before advancing with the project. This systematic approach ensures that all technical and logistical aspects are thoroughly evaluated.
Unique Administrative Challenge: Spanning Two Corporations
Interestingly, the proposed 800-metre flyover presents an unusual administrative scenario, as it will span two different city corporations. The stretch towards Kadubeesanahalli falls under the jurisdiction of the Bengaluru East city corporation, while the portion towards HSR Layout comes under the South city corporation.
Clarifying the execution strategy, a senior engineer explained to media that construction will be undertaken by only one corporation to ensure consistency and efficiency. "Both corporation commissioners will collaborate and decide which entity will lead the work," the engineer stated, adding that the final decision may depend on budget availability and resource allocation within the respective corporations.
Funding and Project Distinction
Engineers have also clarified that this flyover will not be part of the larger Rs 400-crore ORR makeover project. Instead, it will be funded separately, either through the concerned city corporation's budget or with additional financial support from the state government. This distinct funding mechanism highlights the project's priority status in addressing immediate traffic concerns.
The proposed flyover represents a targeted intervention that could dramatically improve mobility for thousands of Bengaluru residents who rely on Outer Ring Road for their daily commutes. By eliminating a major choke point, the initiative promises to enhance travel efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and contribute to the city's broader urban development goals.
