Bengaluru's first double-decker flyover will open for 'trial runs' tomorrow

Spanning 3.3 km from Ragigudda to Central Silk Board (CSB) along the Bengaluru Metro's Yellow Line (RV Road - Bommasandra), vehicular movement will be permitted on one side of the road flyover.

A month after its completion, Bengaluru's first double-decker flyover will commence 'trial runs' for vehicles from July 17.

Spanning 3.3 km from Ragigudda to Central Silk Board (CSB) along Bengaluru Metro's Yellow Line (RV Road-Bommasandra), vehicular movement will be permitted on one side of the flyover.

Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister DK Shivakumar will inaugurate the flyover for 'trial runs' at 3 pm on July 17 near Ragigudda. Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, local MLAs, and officials will also attend the event.

Sources said that although the double-decker structure was ready for inauguration last month, the delay was due to the requirement for joint representation from the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Karnataka government for the inauguration event.

"The general public could use it from July 17 as trial runs will continue till the official inauguration. The formal inauguration event will be held later in the presence of Union and state government representatives" said a source.

It may be recalled that on October 9, 2023, two purple line sections of the BMRCL -- KR Puram – Byappanahalli and Kengeri-Challaghatta, opened to the public after pressure from regular metro users to launch operations without inauguration. Later, PM Modi formally launched the two sections on October 20, 2023.

Signal-free corridor

The stretch from Ragigudda to CSB will provide a signal-free corridor, expected to reduce traffic congestion during peak hours. The CSB junction, intersecting Outer Ring Road and Hosur Road, is one of Bengaluru's busiest intersections.

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The lower deck of the flyover will accommodate vehicular traffic, while the upper deck is designated for Namma Metro use. The Yellow Line (RV Road- Bommasandra) is likely to be completed by December 2024.

The road flyover, elevated eight meters above ground level, runs parallel to a metro viaduct positioned 16 meters above the surface. Similar road-cum-metro structures are operational in cities such as Jaipur, Nagpur, and Mumbai.

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is constructing five loops and ramps at the CSB junction (A, B, C, D & E). Ramps A, B, and C will connect KR Puram and Hosur Road from the Ragigudda/ BTM Layout side, while ramps D and E will link KR Puram to BTM Layout and Ragigudda. Ramps A, B, and C are now completed, with ramps D and E expected to be completed by June 2025.

Also, read: Bengaluru Metro's extension to outskirts, double-decker flyovers; contracts awarded for feasibility studies

CSB will have two Metro stations: Blue Line (CSB-KR Puram) along the Outer Ring Road and the Yellow Line (RV Road-Bommasandra). Originally planned for integration, BMRCL officials have proposed a travelator spanning around 355 meters to facilitate inter-line access between these stations.

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