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Bengaluru's administrators are working on several projects to reduce traffic, including a 37-km double-decker flyover combined with the Phase-3 Metro line. However, the Feasibility-cum-Detailed Project Report (DPR) shows that this huge project may not actually reduce traffic as much as expected. The report's executive summary highlights that traffic studies at
junctions between Kadabagere and Hosahalli, and along the JP Nagar to Hebbal stretch, show very little change in ground-level traffic even after adding the elevated road, which means the tolled elevated corridor will not ease congestion on the surface roads.
Detailed Project Report Findings
As part of the DPR, a survey of 1,000 people was conducted, and it was found that 78% experience heavy traffic between 6 am and 9 am, and 48% face congestion from 6 pm to 9 pm. Yet, 91% of commuters said they would not pay a toll for better road infrastructure.
The DPR projects that the Kadabagere-Hosahalli elevated stretch would bring only small reductions in traffic. For example, traffic between Kadabagere and Magadi Road is expected to fall from 1,837 to 1,369 Passenger Car Units (PCUs) in 2031, and from 2,095 to 1,640 PCUs in 2041, only a marginal improvement. Similar minor reductions appear at other junctions on the corridor.
Drop in Traffic on JP Nagar-Hebbal Corridor
On the JP Nagar-Hebbal corridor, traffic between JP Nagar and Sarakki is expected to drop from 2,895 to 2,701 PCUs in 2031, and from 3,465 to 3,222 PCUs in 2041. Again, only small improvements are seen across all five junctions.
Mobility & Traffic Experts' Opinions
Mobility expert Satya Arikutharam stated the double-decker flyover does not justify its cost because a tolled road does not reduce congestion, and making it free would affect Metro revenue. He added that such integrated structures only help at specific locations, not across long routes.
Traffic expert Prof. Sreehari M.N. said flyovers rarely solve congestion anywhere in the world and quickly become unviable. He explained that Bengaluru's traffic varies greatly between peak and off-peak hours, so the focus should be on strengthening public transport instead of building more flyovers.
