Bengaluru traffic: Karnataka deputy CM proposes road-cum-metro rail flyovers to reduce congestion

TBM Bhadra achieved a breakthrough at KG Halli in Bengaluru after tunneling 1,185.8 meters between Venkateshapura and Kadugondanahalli stations on February 8

Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar on February 8 proposed construction of road-cum-metro rail flyovers to reduce the traffic congestion in Bengaluru.

Speaking to the media after the groundbreaking ceremony of the Metro Tunnel Boring Machine Bhadra at the KG Halli, he said: "The progress of the Airport Metro line (KR Pura-Hebbal-Kempegowda International Airport) is commendable. I have directed the authorities to construct two levels where pillars are yet to be erected. One level will accommodate the road, and the other will be designated for the metro".

He said Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) will collaborate on this initiative. "BBMP will bear the cost of the road flyover, while BMRCL will manage the Metro costs. This is likely to help resolve the traffic crisis in Bengaluru. Having observed similar projects in Nagpur, we plan to implement Metro plus road lines in the future Metro lines.” said Shivakumar.

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Currently, Bengaluru's first double-decker flyover, spanning 3.35 km between Ragigudda and Central Silk Board on Marenahalli Road, is in progress and is expected to be completed in the coming months. The flyover, designed for vehicle use on the lower deck and Metro on the upper deck, is part of the Metro's fully elevated RV Road-Bommasandra Yellow Line corridor (18.8-km) under Phase 2 of the project.

“We have plans of building tunnel roads in Bengaluru. I am here to get a first-hand understanding of tunnel drilling and its challenges,” he said.

Responding to queries on the status of Metro's airport line, he said, "About 98 percent of land acquisition is complete. Construction work is 53 percent done, and progress is underway on the 17 elevated Metro stations."

Pink Line to be operational by 2025: Shivakumar

Under Phase 2 of the project, Reach 6 (Pink Line) spans from Kalena Agrahara to Nagawara, covering a total of 21.26 km with 18 stations. It comprises an elevated section of 7.5 km with six stations from Kalena Agrahara to Tavarekere and an underground section of 13.7 km with 12 stations from Dairy Circle to Nagawara.

BMRCL records show 91 percent of the 20.99 km tunneling and 75 percent of the station work has been completed. The tunnelling is scheduled for completion in August 2024, and Kamaraj Road, closed for the construction of the M G Road underground station, is expected to reopen for public use by April 2024.

Shivakumar said: "Pink Line Metro work is progressing well and it will be thrown open to the public in 2025. Nine tunnel drilling machines were deployed of which seven completed work. About 75 percent of the work on the 12 stations in the route is over. The interchange stations at Jayadeva Hospital, MG Road, Cantonment and Nagawara are major stations on this route," he added.

On the potential announcements for new Metro lines in the upcoming state budget, he said, "We have already instructed the preparation of DPR for Tumakuru, Anekal, and Bidadi routes. Further details will be shared once the DPR is ready, and We have to take the Centre also into confidence in the Metro project".