DK Shivakumar seeks Centre's aid to build new flyover from Hebbal to airport

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has sought the Centre’s support and cooperation in implementing various infrastructure projects in Bengaluru that could ease traffic congestion.

 

Shivakumar, who is also the Bengaluru Development minister, met the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi and submitted an appeal seeking the Centre’s support to upgrade and expedite infrastructure projects. The list includes the upgradation of the existing four-lane Bengaluru-Kanakapura highway (NH 209) to six lanes with service roads, immediate release of compensation to land losers (farmers) for the ongoing Satellite Ring Road Project (STRR) and a dedicated flyover from Hebbal to Kempegowda International Airport.

 

Seeking the Centre’s assistance to upgrade the Bengaluru-Kanakapura Highway, Shivakumar said the development of industrial areas like Harohalli had led to a significant increase in traffic, necessitating measures for smooth vehicle movement, improved traffic safety, and seamless industrial transport.

 

“The road widening has been stalled along the 7-km stretch - from the Art of living Ashram (Ravi Shankar Guruji Ashram) to the Kaggalipura toll. The land needed for the project has been acquired but the project was halted due to objections from the National Green Tribunal (NGT). This section has become a bottleneck, causing severe congestion,” the appeal said.

 

The STRR would ensure seamless connectivity to the Bangalore-Chennai Expressway (BCE), extending from Hoskote to the Tamil Nadu border, connecting 12 satellite towns of Dobbaspet, Devanahalli, Doddaballapura, Sulibele, Hoskote, Sarjapura, Attibele, Tattekere, Anekal, Kanakapura, Ramanagara and Magadi. The ring road developed under the Bharatmala Pariyojna initiative by the Centre is a greenfield expressway that will connect a new highway (NH-948A) while realigning NH-648.

 

In his appeal, Shivakumar has urged the Centre to disburse compensation to land losers. “STRR connects Dabaspet, Magadi, Ramanagara, and Harohalli. Although the project commenced in 2019, delays in paying compensation have caused hardships to the affected farmers and slowed down the project,” reminded the appeal.

 

The minister has proposed a third project to ease the traffic bottleneck at Hebbal flyover by mooting a dedicated flyover from Hebbal to Kempegowda International Airport. Besides the tolled expressway, the Namma Metro's Blue Line is being extended to connect Central Silk Board to KIA, covering a distance of 58.19 km.  The segment from KIA Terminal to Hebbal is expected to commence operations between June and September 2026, offering an alternative rapid transit option for airport commuters.

 

“The 35-km stretch between Hebbal Junction and Kempegowda International Airport has seen significant development, with multiple industries and commercial complexes coming up, leading to intense traffic congestion. The existing elevated corridor is hindered by traffic signals and pedestrian crossings that have increased the travel time. Given the rapid growth of the international airport and the rising number of passengers, a dedicated flyover from Hebbal junction to the airport is essential. This would facilitate smoother movement for airport commuters, local vehicles, and heavy transport from industrial zones,” the appeal stated. 

India