Bengaluru Metro Phase-3 double-decker corridor ‘won’t ease traffic’, finds report

Bengaluru Metro

Bengaluru’s ambitious Phase-3 double-decker corridor, combining a flyover and a Metro line, may not ease traffic as expected, according to a new Feasibility-cum-Detailed Project Report (DPR).

The multi-level structure, planned across major routes, was seen as one of the city’s biggest steps toward tackling growing congestion. But the fresh analysis suggests that the elevated road may do little to reduce traffic on the ground, The New Indian Express reported.

The DPR studied traffic patterns on two key corridors, Kadabagere–Hosahalli and JP Nagar–Hebbal. It found that even with a brand-new elevated corridor above the main road, the congestion below would remain almost the same. As per the DPR, vehicles on the ground level may continue to face the same bottlenecks that trouble commuters today.

The report also surveyed 1,000 Bengaluru commuters to understand their daily challenges. Around 78% said they faced heavy traffic between 6 am and 9 am, while 48% said evenings between 6 pm and 9 pm were highly congested too. Another important finding was that 91% of the participants were unwilling to pay tolls, even if the elevated road promised smoother travel.

The report also shared traffic predictions for the coming years. On the Kadabagere-Hosahalli stretch, the vehicle count at ground level would reportedly drop from 1,837 to 1,369 Passenger Car Units (PCUs) by 2031. By 2041, it would reduce from 2,095 to 1,640 PCUs. These drops were described as minor, and the same pattern appeared on other junctions too.

The JP Nagar-Hebbal corridor showed similar results. Between JP Nagar and Sarakki Junction, traffic would reduce from 2,895 to 2,701 PCUs in 2031, and from 3,465 to 3,222 PCUs in 2041. The change again was small.

Independent mobility expert Satya Arikutharam said there was “no transport case” to justify building the double-decker structure across the entire Phase-3 route. According to him, if the elevated road is tolled, it will not pull enough traffic away from the surface roads. But if the toll is removed, it could affect the financial and operational viability of the Metro line running above it.

He noted that such double-decker systems are useful only in short stretches, like the existing structure at Goraguntepalya Junction.
Traffic expert Prof Sreehari M N also argued that flyovers are not long-term solutions. “Anywhere in the world, flyovers have failed to solve congestion. They quickly become uneconomical,” he said.

He explained that Bengaluru’s traffic varies sharply between peak and non-peak hours and emphasised that the real priority should be strengthening public transport capacity, not building more elevated roads.