Bengaluru East Corporation Plans Railway Underpass to Reduce Traffic Congestion

In a bid to tackle Bengaluru's persistent traffic woes, Commissioner D.S. Ramesh of the Bengaluru East City Corporation has instructed officials to conduct a technical feasibility study for constructing a railway underpass connecting Alpine Eco Road to the Outer Ring Road (ORR) service road. The directive, aimed at alleviating congestion in the area, was issued on Sunday during joint inspections with Karthik Reddy, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), at several major bottlenecks.

Accelerating Key Projects

At Hope Farm Junction, where underpass construction is already underway, Commissioner Ramesh urged the contractor to expedite progress by deploying three work shifts. Additionally, he ordered the temporary asphalting of damaged road stretches to ensure smoother traffic flow during construction.

In Marathahalli Junction, the focus shifted to pedestrian safety and vehicle movement. Officials were instructed to examine the feasibility of building a skywalk for pedestrians crossing from HAL Road and implementing a free left turn for vehicles heading from Varthur Kodi toward the ORR. These measures aim to streamline traffic and enhance pedestrian safety in one of the city's busiest intersections.

Addressing Key Bottlenecks

The inspection team also visited the Thubarahalli-Vibgyor School Road, a known congestion hotspot. Here, the Bengaluru Smart Mobility Initiative for Livable Environments (B-SMILE) is preparing a detailed project report for a proposed buffer road to ease traffic.

At Panathur S-Cross, Commissioner Ramesh directed officials to submit a report on land acquisition and the feasibility of widening the road near the railway underpass. Additionally, the team reviewed a proposal to implement a free left turn at the Bhoganahalli Road junction. These measures are part of a broader strategy to address congestion in rapidly developing areas of the city.

Why It Matters

Bengaluru's traffic congestion has long been a pressing issue, impacting daily commutes and economic productivity. The East City Corporation's targeted approach, focusing on infrastructure upgrades and traffic flow improvements, reflects an effort to address these challenges comprehensively. With multiple projects under review and active construction, the city hopes to ease bottlenecks and improve mobility for residents in key areas.

Source: The Hindu