After a long wait of five years, the Hosakerehalli flyover near PES University is finally set to open for public use by mid-November. The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) announced that the much-delayed infrastructure project will soon be inaugurated, bringing hope of relief to thousands of commuters who faced daily traffic bottlenecks on the Outer Ring Road stretch.
Long-delayed project finally nears completion
Construction on the Hosakerehalli flyover began in August 2020 with a 15-month deadline. However, multiple administrative, financial, and logistical hurdles stretched the project into a five-year ordeal. The delay caused severe inconvenience to residents and commuters in nearby areas such as Girinagar, Banashankari, and Ittamadu, who have had to navigate dust, diversions, and heavy congestion daily.
Local residents expressed mixed feelings about the flyover’s opening. “We have suffered for five years. The never-ending dust and traffic have disturbed us tremendously. But with this flyover, the traffic problem will not be solved. It will just move to PES University and Ittamadu junctions,” said Shashi Kumar, a pharmacy owner operating under the structure.
Commuters sceptical about traffic benefits
Several commuters believe the ₹63-crore flyover might not provide the intended traffic relief. “Nobody had requested this ramp as there were signals at the junction and traffic was manageable. The government has inconvenienced everyone for five years for a 500-metre ramp,” said Rajashekar, an auto driver from Veerabhadranagar.
According to residents, the only immediate benefit would be the reopening of the road from Kerekodi to Girinagar, which was blocked throughout the construction period. The stretch connects several residential localities and educational institutions, including PES University, and is a key route for daily commuters in southern Bengaluru.
Missed deadlines and pending works
Urban Development Department (UDD) Additional Chief Secretary Tushar Giri Nath had earlier set a 15-day completion target on October 10. However, that deadline was missed, with several works such as debris removal, road levelling, and finishing touches still pending.
A senior traffic official confirmed that trial runs may begin soon. “The debris needs to be cleared. The midweek deadline will likely not be met. For the PES Junction to be cleared, we need to close it temporarily and instruct motorists to use the next junction for U-turns,” he said, adding, “We are hopeful that trials will begin from Monday.”
GBA officials have also directed repairs to the adjoining service roads to ensure smoother vehicle movement during the trial phase.
Political blame game over delays
As the project nears completion, political leaders have traded barbs over credit for the flyover. Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka claimed that the BJP government had completed 50% of the work before leaving office. “Our government started the project and completed 50% of the work when we were in power, but this government did not release funds. Contractors said they would continue the project if paid,” he said.
Ashoka further urged the current administration to open the flyover to the public without delay. “It is almost complete and should open in about 15 days. I will pressure the government to open it for the public immediately and they can hold their formal inauguration whenever they have time,” he added.
Hope for smoother commutes
Once inaugurated, the Hosakerehalli flyover is expected to ease vehicular movement from Banashankari towards Mysuru Road and the Outer Ring Road stretch leading to Nayandahalli and Uttarahalli. The GBA has stated that the flyover is part of a broader effort to decongest southern Bengaluru’s key corridors.
However, with lingering scepticism among residents about its effectiveness, only time will tell whether the long-delayed project will deliver on its promise of smoother commutes.