Bengaluru Plans 16-km Double-Decker Rail-Cum-Road Flyover on KSR City–Kengeri Route

Bengaluru is all set to get a boost in infrastructure as planning has been submitted for a 16-km long double-decker flyover along the KSR Bengaluru City–Kengeri corridor. An Indian version of the PRT, the project was done in amalgamation with a suburban rail line and will also include a road flyover to reduce obstruction due to traffic and therefore increase connectivity, much exciting urban mobility around the country.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) Limited (K-RIDE) have agreed to the project in principle, sources said. The plan may also revive the two-decade-long-delayed 35-km Parijatha Line, which will link Whitefield in the east with Kengeri in the west.

A Two-Tiered Solution for Jams:

As per the proposal, the double-decker flyover will have two road lanes (of 7.5 m each) at the first level while a suburban rail line will be laid on the second level. This corridor project is a parallel structure to the existing railway line connecting important hubs such as Majestic, Jagajeevanram Nagar, Vijayanagar, Kengeri, NICE Road, and Kempegowda Layout.

When the corridor is operational, the travel time will be reduced greatly, with the one-hour travel from Majestic to Kempegowda Layout now taking only 20 minutes, officials estimate.

With the rising demand from commuters, the project also has social importance. As per a study conducted by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), by 2041, Bengaluru’s suburban rail network will be serving 1.29 lakh passengers per peak hour, which is higher than the Metro’s 1.19 lakh. Experts say incorporating elevated road and rail transit will be vital to accommodating future movement needs expeditiously.

Cost and Feasibility Concerns:

The double-decker structure is estimated to cost ₹2,611 crore between Majestic and Kengeri (₹2,128 crore for construction and ₹483 crore for land acquisition) The project is perceived as a game-changer, but alignment concerns with the current sectional of the Namma Metro Purple Line has been a major reason for it being under review.

In the meantime, similar works are being initiated. Bengaluru also opened a 3.35-km double-decker flyover between Ragigudda and Central Silk Board recently and another 1.5-km stretch between Mathikere and Lottegollahalli is in the planning phase.

Also, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said recently that the upcoming metro corridors in the city, covering 41 km, would be constructed as double-decker flyovers at an estimated cost of ₹18,000 crore.