Bengaluru: The second phase of the much-anticipated Hebbal flyover ramp expansion is nearing completion and is expected to be ready for traffic by mid-December, according to senior officials at the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA). The new segment will link the Tumakuru Road loop — situated within the tree park next to the junction — with the under-construction ramp from the Baptist Hospital side. Once operational, the connection is expected to ease one of Bengaluru’s most persistent traffic chokepoints.

New link aims to ease chronic congestion

The fresh alignment will create added lanes for motorists arriving from the Esteem Mall service road and Tumakuru Road, allowing smoother movement towards Mehkri Circle. Hebbal junction, which has long struggled to handle the city’s growing traffic volumes — particularly vehicles entering Bengaluru from Kempegowda International Airport — is expected to benefit significantly from this upgrade.

BDA had earlier considered extending the ramp all the way to Esteem Mall to offer direct access to motorists arriving from the airport, but the proposal was later dropped.

First phase brought partial relief

In August, BDA completed the first phase of the project by connecting the new Baptist Hospital ramp to the older loop that carries traffic from KR Pura. According to traffic police, this partial opening led to a 20–30% reduction in congestion at the Hebbal junction.

However, the easing at Hebbal subsequently shifted a portion of the traffic load downstream to Mehkri Circle, nearly 3 km away. Officials believe the second-phase link to the Tumakuru Road loop will offer additional relief by improving straight-through movement along the corridor.

Final works underway

A senior BDA source said work is progressing rapidly on the second-phase structure.
“Once we integrate the Tumakuru Road loop, the through-movement will improve even further. Three spans have to be placed to complete this connection — one is already in place, and the other two will be installed within a week. After that, concrete deck work will follow. We anticipate the road will be ready by mid-December,” the official said.

Traffic police reiterated that the Hebbal-to-Mehkri Circle corridor remains a critical bottleneck because vehicles from seven separate lanes merge above the flyover before being funnelled southward.
“This load ultimately lands at Mehkri Circle. Unless agencies simultaneously fix chokepoints further downstream, the benefits of the Hebbal works will remain only partial,” a traffic officer noted.

New flyover and underpass planned

To address congestion more comprehensively, BDA is preparing to take up two additional infrastructure projects under a larger mobility improvement plan for Hebbal. These include:

  • A 700-metre flyover providing a direct link for traffic from KR Pura to the airport-bound national highway near the flyover.
  • A unidirectional underpass intended to streamline movement from Tumakuru Road towards Nagawara.

Both projects together are estimated to cost about ₹300 crore. Officials said tenders for the flyover are expected to be floated soon.

Meanwhile, civic group B-Smile has suggested an alternative long-term solution in the form of a 2.2-km cut-and-cover tunnel connecting Hebbal to the Veterinary College, though this proposal is still under consideration.

As Bengaluru’s northern traffic volumes continue to rise, authorities hope the ongoing ramp expansion will serve as an immediate relief measure, while larger projects take shape in the coming months.