Bengaluru: Hebbal flyover inauguration during peak hours sparks commuter outrage

Traffic was thrown out of the gear as the much-awaited flyover loop was opened to the public by Chief Minister Siddarmaiah on Monday at 9 am.

Bengaluru: Commuters in and around Hebbal called out the Karnataka government for inaugurating the new flyover loop during rush hour on a Monday morning and in turn worsening the traffic congestion at the busy junction. 

The much-awaited flyover loop was opened to the public on Monday at 11 am, by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar.

The 700M long ramp, connected to the previously constructure loop, provides a direct connection between Nagawara, KR Puram and Mekhri Circle. 

Airport travellers stuck in long jams

Devappa, a 30-year-old taxi driver, returning to Rajajinagar from Kempegowda International Airport around 10 am, said that the traffic on the route came to a standstill for about 90 minutes due to the inauguration.

“The travel time went up from one hour to almost two hours because of this. The traffic police were trying to better the situation, but nothing seemed to be working,” he told DH. 

A few other commuters debated the need for organisting an inauguration ceremony during peak traffic hours.

“Everyone who lives in Bengaluru knows that the traffic is bad on the Hebbal route during peak hours. In addition to that, the government made the already bad traffic problem worse by deciding to have the inauguration on a Monday morning after a long weekend,” said Rashmi Nanda, a 23-year-old who travels from Jayamahal Extenstion to Hebbal everyday for work.

“I was stuck in unmoving traffic for about 40 minutes, dispute being on a two-wheeler. By the time I reached my office, I was absolutely drained and couldn’t work,” she added. 

When DH visited Hebbal flyover early Monday afternoon, while newly opened ramp was smooth and mostly free of traffic, the surrounding roads had a different tale to share.

The rest of the Hebbal flyover, Bellary Road, Mekhri Circle and parts of the Mangalore-Villapuram Highway saw moderate traffic congestion throughout the afternoon. 

The Deputy CM, in his post on X, claimed that ramp would reduce the traffic congestion on the route by 30 per cent and “improve commute quality”. 

However Deputy Commisioner of Police (Traffic North), Jayaprakash, said, “The ramp with definitely alleviate the traffic congestion to some extent. But since we don’t have the exact data on how many vehicles use the flyover on a daily basis, it’s difficult to estimate the exact impact of the addition to the Hebbal flyover.”