Bengaluru: Traffic curbs on Ballari Road for 18 months as BDA begins corridor work

Commuters travelling on Ballari Road will face traffic restrictions for the next 18 months as the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) begins construction of an elevated corridor on Friday, November 6.The restrictions will affect commuters travelling between Hebbal, central Bengaluru and Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). The Bengaluru Traffic Police have prohibited all goods vehicles, including light, medium and heavy goods vehicles, as well as KSRTC and private buses, from using the affected stretch. Cars, two-wheelers and school buses can continue to use the road.The four-lane elevated corridor will run between the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) staff quarters and Mehkri Circle, covering around 1.6 km. The stretch falls under the jurisdiction of the Sadashivanagar and Sanjaynagar traffic police stations. The construction is expected to take 18 months.The corridor is part of the BDA’s Rs 2,215-crore project to ease congestion at the Hebbal junction. The larger project includes a six-lane, cut-and-cover short tunnel between Hebbal junction and the Veterinary College, followed by an elevated corridor leading to Mehkri Circle, where a rotary flyover is planned. The project has also faced opposition, with the National Green Tribunal staying tree-felling until it decides on petitions challenging the work.The traffic police have advised motorists, including those travelling in emergency vehicles, to use alternative routes during the construction period.Vehicles travelling from central Bengaluru towards KIA via Hebbal should take the route through Old High Grounds Junction, Kalpana Junction, Old Udaya TV Junction, Cantonment Railway Station, Tannery Road and Nagawara Road before proceeding towards the airport.Those travelling from Yeshwantpur towards KIA should take Mathikere Road, turn right at BEL Circle and continue via Ring Road towards the airport.For vehicles travelling from KIA towards central Bengaluru, one option is to take a left turn at Hebbal, proceed towards Nagawara Junction, take a right turn and continue via Bamboo Bazaar and Queens Road.Alternatively, motorists can take a right turn at Hebbal and proceed via Hebbal Ring Road, Kuvempu Circle and Goraguntepalya Junction. They should then take a left turn and continue along Dr Rajkumar Road towards the city.Vehicles travelling from Yeshwantpur towards central Bengaluru should proceed via BHEL Junction, take a right turn near Maramma Circle and continue along Margosa Road.Motorists travelling from Hebbal towards the city can enter the service road in front of Baptist Hospital after descending the Hebbal flyover. They can continue along the service road up to CBI Junction and then proceed towards the city via Ballari Main Road.Those travelling from Hebbal towards Anand Nagar and RT Nagar should use the service road in front of Baptist Hospital and proceed towards Anand Nagar Cross. They should take a left turn at CBI Junction to join Anand Nagar Main Road and continue towards RT Nagar and Jayamahal Road.