Bengaluru: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has begun work on a major underpass at Sadahalli Junction on Ballari Road, a project aimed at easing traffic congestion on the busy route connecting Bengaluru with Kempegowda International Airport.

The 750-metre-long, six-lane underpass is being constructed at an estimated cost of ₹35 crore. Once completed, the project is expected to remove the last traffic signal on the main carriageway between Hebbal and Sadahalli, allowing vehicles travelling towards the airport to move more smoothly without stopping at the junction.

The project assumes significance as the Ballari Road corridor handles heavy traffic, particularly airport-bound vehicles. More than 1.1 lakh vehicles pass through the nearby Sadahalli toll plaza every day, making uninterrupted movement at the junction important for commuters and airport users.

Six-lane underpass to remove major bottleneck

The Sadahalli Junction signal is currently a key point where vehicles have to slow down or stop, contributing to congestion on the airport corridor.

The new underpass is designed to allow through traffic to pass beneath the junction, eliminating the need for vehicles travelling along the main carriageway to stop at the signal.

Once operational, the facility is expected to improve traffic flow between Hebbal and Kempegowda International Airport, particularly during peak travel periods.

The project will also benefit passengers travelling to and from the airport, as delays at junctions along the route can have a direct impact on journey times.

₹35 crore project to be completed in phases

The NHAI project has an estimated cost of ₹35 crore and is expected to take about one year to complete.

Construction is being carried out in phases to minimise disruption to the existing traffic movement. Initial work includes site barricading, mobilisation of manpower and machinery and excavation activities.

According to the project plan, construction will begin with excavation for two carriageway lanes after retaining structures are installed. The phased approach is intended to ensure that traffic can continue to use the road while construction progresses.

The construction period could nevertheless bring temporary traffic restrictions and diversions around Sadahalli Junction. Authorities are expected to manage traffic movement in stages as different portions of the underpass are constructed.

Important route to Bengaluru airport

Ballari Road is one of the principal road links between Bengaluru and Kempegowda International Airport.

The Sadahalli Junction project is therefore part of broader efforts to improve the airport corridor and reduce interruptions to traffic.

The underpass will remove a traffic signal from the main airport-bound carriageway, helping vehicles maintain a more continuous flow. This is particularly important for passengers travelling to catch flights, airport employees and commercial vehicles using the corridor.

The project is also expected to improve the overall reliability of travel times on the route once construction is completed.

Other road works planned near Yelahanka

Alongside the Sadahalli underpass, NHAI is also undertaking road-related works near Yelahanka Air Force Station.

The works include a service road that is planned to be completed ahead of Aero India 2027, with additional construction activities to follow.

The road improvements are expected to support traffic management in the northern part of Bengaluru, where airport traffic, local commuters and vehicles using Ballari Road converge.

With multiple infrastructure projects being undertaken along the airport corridor, authorities are looking to improve connectivity while addressing existing traffic bottlenecks.

Focus on smoother airport-bound traffic

The Sadahalli underpass is expected to play an important role in creating a more seamless connection between Bengaluru and Kempegowda International Airport.

By replacing the existing signal-controlled movement with a six-lane underpass, the project aims to reduce stopping time and improve traffic flow through the junction.

The project will initially bring construction-related challenges for commuters, but the long-term objective is to create a signal-free movement for through traffic at Sadahalli.

With the work now under way, commuters using Ballari Road will have to account for possible diversions and reduced traffic speeds around the construction zone. Once the project is completed, however, the underpass is expected to become an important component of Bengaluru’s airport connectivity infrastructure.