The newly opened Hebbal flyover ramp from Nagawara towards Baptist Hospital has been thrown open to vehicles, marking the first step in easing traffic at one of Bengaluru’s busiest junctions. The state government now plans to link this ramp with the Tumakuru Road loop, which officials claim will divert significant traffic from the overloaded main flyover that handles airport-bound vehicles.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar announced that the extension connecting the new ramp to the Tumakuru Road loop will be completed by November. However, commuters and infrastructure experts remain skeptical, pointing to Bengaluru’s long history of missed deadlines.
Hebbal flyover expansion plans date back to 2015, but frequent redesigns, funding gaps, and conflicts with Metro projects stalled progress for years. The current 700-metre stretch, costing around ₹80 crore, is expected to cut congestion by 30%, especially for vehicles from Nagawara heading towards Mehkri Circle. Yet, police warn the relief could be short-lived unless the BBMP widens the service road near Mehkri Circle, where land acquisition is still stuck with defence authorities.
Adding colour to the inauguration, Shivakumar ditched the traditional ribbon-cutting. Instead, he rode his refurbished vintage Yezdi motorcycle — bought in his college days — across the ramp, drawing cheers from supporters. This isn’t his first roadshow; last year he drove on the double-decker flyover between Ragigudda and Silk Board before its launch.
Despite political theatrics, the central problem persists: airport traffic towards Mehkri Circle still depends on the outdated two-lane flyover, leaving true decongestion unresolved.