Goripalya-Hosahalli Railway Bridge Finally Completed After Years of Delays in Bengaluru
After enduring nearly two years of persistent delays, significant technical hurdles, and sustained public inconvenience, the long-pending Goripalya-Hosahalli railway bridge project has finally been constructed. This development brings substantial relief to thousands of commuters who depend on this crucial connectivity corridor in west Bengaluru.
Project Initiation and Structural Concerns
The bridge reconstruction was undertaken by the railways after officials concluded that the old structure had become dangerously weak and had exceeded its usable lifespan. A senior railway official confirmed that the tender for the project was floated in 2023 and is now complete. "The bridge was already weak and there was no remaining lifespan for reconstruction. The tender process began in 2023 and the work is now complete. The original cost of the bridge was around Rs 6 crore," the official stated.
Technical and Administrative Challenges
While the tender stipulated an 18-month completion period, the project soon encountered multiple technical and administrative challenges. Venkat Reddy, contractor and founder of TrenZet Infra Limited, explained the complications: "The work order was issued on Jan 5, 2023, but demolition revealed the presence of unauthorised electricity cables laid beneath the bridge. These live KEB cables carried power supply from Vijayanagar to Goripalya and were not formally documented earlier. We did not have permission from the railways to handle them."
Reddy detailed that laying nine new lines and obtaining the necessary approvals took nearly eight months. Because of this unexpected obstacle, the road had to be closed about six months after January 2023, and actual construction could begin only in early 2024.
Construction Progress and Additional Work
The demolition work was completed within three weeks, after which construction of the new bridge and its approaches progressed in carefully planned phases. The comprehensive project includes:
- Nearly 200 metres of approach roads
- Concrete stretches on the Vijayanagar side
- Extensive kerb work
- Installation of 20 streetlights
All these elements were executed by the railways. Due to the additional work requirements and prolonged delays, the overall project cost increased significantly to approximately Rs 12 crore.
Public Inconvenience and Community Impact
Throughout the extended construction period, residents of Goripalya, Hosahalli, and surrounding localities faced severe disruption. The community experienced multiple challenges:
- Daily commuters were forced to take long, inconvenient detours
- Traffic congestion worsened dramatically during peak hours
- Schoolchildren and working professionals were among the worst affected groups
Political Follow-up and Future Inauguration
Former Padarayanapura councillor Imran Pasha acknowledged the hardship faced by residents while emphasizing the project's long-term necessity. He also credited sustained political follow-up for ensuring the work's completion. "People suffered a lot during the construction period, especially students and daily wage workers. However, this was an essential development. Zameer Ahmed Khan consistently followed up with the departments concerned and ensured that the project did not remain stalled," he added.
Pasha noted that while the inauguration date is yet to be officially confirmed, it is expected around January 31. The event is likely to be attended by Union Minister of State for Railways V Somanna along with Karnataka Housing Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, marking the successful completion of this vital infrastructure project that will significantly improve connectivity in west Bengaluru.
