Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Traffic Police has announced the postponement of the scheduled closure of the Peenya Elevated Flyover, officially known as Sri Shivakumara Swamiji Flyover, which was planned for structural testing next week.
The flyover was initially set to be closed to all vehicular movement from 5 am on April 13 to 11 am on April 17. However, officials confirmed on Saturday that the closure has been deferred and the flyover will remain open to traffic until further notice.
PM visit cited as key reason
Sources indicated that the postponement is linked to the upcoming visit of Narendra Modi to Mandya on April 15. During the visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to travel by road to inaugurate the Bhyravykya Mandira at Adichunchanagiri Mutt.
Given the importance of smooth traffic movement during such a high-profile visit, authorities decided to delay the closure to avoid disruptions along key routes connecting Bengaluru to Mandya.
Concerns over traffic congestion
Officials from Peenya Police Station had earlier raised concerns regarding the timing of the proposed closure. In a communication to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), they highlighted that the period between April 11 and April 14 coincides with government holidays and school vacations.
During this time, traffic volumes are typically higher, and shutting down the flyover could have severe consequences for road users.
Estimates suggested that around 4,000 to 5,000 vehicles per hour would have been diverted to surface roads at key junctions such as Jalahalli Cross, Dasarahalli, and 8th Mile.
Risk of congestion and law and order issues
Authorities warned that diverting such a large volume of traffic onto already congested surface roads could lead to significant traffic snarls and potential law and order challenges.
The Peenya Elevated Flyover serves as a crucial arterial route for commuters travelling between Bengaluru and Tumakuru, and any disruption could have widespread ripple effects across the city’s traffic network.
Structural testing to be rescheduled
While the closure has been postponed, officials clarified that the structural testing of the flyover remains necessary and will be carried out at a later date. A revised schedule is expected to be announced after assessing traffic conditions and coordinating with relevant agencies.
Conclusion
The decision to defer the closure of the Peenya flyover reflects the need to balance infrastructure maintenance with traffic management, especially during peak travel periods and high-profile events.
Commuters can continue to use the flyover for now, but authorities are expected to issue fresh updates once new dates for the structural testing are finalised.