Double-Decker Flyover: A Costly Mistake? Experts Push for Public Transit Focus

Bengaluru’s planned double-decker flyover from JP Nagar to Hebbal, estimated at ₹9,800 crore, has drawn sharp criticism from urban transport experts. While Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar hailed it as a “game-changer,” specialists argue it will only encourage private vehicle ownership, weakening public transport usage.

Professor Ashish Verma from IISc’s Sustainable Transportation Lab emphasized that such infrastructure projects—like elevated roads and tunnel highways—ultimately reduce public transit adoption. “Our studies confirm that expanding roadways only shifts congestion rather than solving it,” he stated.

Critics highlight that flyovers lead to traffic jams at their endpoints and worsen long-term bottlenecks. Instead, they urge the government to enhance metro connectivity, ensuring that at least 80% of city travel occurs via public transport, walking, or cycling. Rapid execution of Bengaluru’s 400-km metro and urban rail network is essential for sustainable mobility.

Activists also stress that city planning must align with the 74th Constitutional Amendment (Nagarpalika Act), mandating a Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC) to oversee infrastructure. Without this, they argue, such projects lack legitimacy.

“Once the metro is operational, surface roads will ease, rendering this flyover unnecessary,” stated mobility advocate Sandeep Anirudhan. He suggested redirecting funds to improve last-mile transit, enabling private players through amendments to the Stage Carriage Act. Experts also warn of metro delays due to this project.

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