Hennur–Bagalur Main Road may be made signal-free or get elevated corridor after feasibility study

Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Monday (October 26) said the Hennur–Bagalur Main Road could either be made signal-free over the next five years or get an elevated corridor, depending on the outcome of a feasibility and viability study. 

“An elevated corridor is the preference. The Chief Minister also wants that, but we cannot go for it until a survey is done and feasibility and viability are studied,” he said during an inspection of the ongoing roadworks. Calling it an important stretch that needs “comprehensive, long-term development,“ he said a decision on the proposed elevated corridor would be taken after the study. 

The inspection comes amid continued complaints from residents about the condition of the road, where the situation has worsened since white-topping began in 2024. Work on side drains and footpaths remains pending.  

‘Speed up work’

Mr. Gowda directed officials to expedite the ongoing works on the stretch between the junction and Geddalahalli. “One contractor is already working on the road, and another will be hired within a week to take up work in the opposite direction and speed up construction,“ he said. 

The three-km white-topping project, which began in 2024, has missed several deadlines, with the most recent ones in October and June this year. Parts of the newly white-topped road have already developed cracks and uneven surfaces. The stretch that falls under three different jurisdictions — the Bengaluru East City Corporation, Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Limited and the Public Works Department — serves as an alternative route to the Kempegowda International Airport. 

Mr. Gowda directed officials to identify alternate routes and put traffic arrangements in place during construction to minimise inconvenience to commuters. He also asked officials to widen footpaths wherever feasible and repair damaged slabs. “Drainage systems must also be upgraded wherever necessary and planned alongside road development to ensure the free flow of rainwater and prevent flooding,“ he said. 

Officials were directed to expedite pending land acquisition and handover processes that could delay the works. Mr. Gowda said the road had been taken up under previous governments as an alternative route to the Outer Ring Road, as the airport road faced traffic congestion and high toll charges. Of the 18-km project, 70% of the work has been completed, he said, adding that land acquisition in the remaining stretches would be expedited. 

White-topping

When asked about white-topping works lagging across several areas, with the deadline approaching in December for the 126-km road network, Mr. Gowda said 20% of the work had been completed and the project would be completed by December-end. Attributing the delay to heavy rain, he said the focus was on ensuring quality rather than completing the work quickly.