Lack of bus bays and delay in widening a key service road has ensured that there is little relief for commuters using the busy Hebbal flyover. With Aero India just around the corner, even traffic officials have expressed concern.
Haphazardly parked long-distance buses at the bus stop located near the subway at the access point of the flyover and opposite Esteem Mall cause heavy traffic jams even at 10.30 p.m., regular commuters said.
Every day, private and State-run buses are operated to popular destinations in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Though a narrow bus bay has been provided for them, most buses halt on the main road blocking vehicles moving towards Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), Sahakarnagar and other areas.
Shashank, a resident of Jakkur, said: “Everyone knows that Hebbal flyover is one of the worst traffic bottlenecks in the city. But the problem is growing over the years. There was a plan to widen the service road on either side. The service road from Esteem Mall to Hebbal, which helps traffic moving towards K.R. Puram, was opened almost one-and-a-half years ago. On the opposite side, widening works were left midway. This is causing huge traffic snarls.”
The NHAI, which had taken up widening work in 2017, had acquired land from defence authorities. It had also axed more than 40 trees to widen the road. Initially, the project faced hurdles owing to the new regulations imposed by the National Green Tribunal on buffer zone. Later, officials blamed utility networks for delays.
According to motorists, the removal of traffic signal at Esteem Mall, after a skywalk was opened to the public, has done little to ease congestion.
Traffic officials said that the delay has been up at ‘higher levels’.
“We have also been pressing the NHAI to take up the work. Now, the Aero India show is coming up and there will be heavy movement of vehicles. The service road has to be widened to accommodate more vehicles at this point. On Fridays and Saturdays, we regulate traffic movement till late night,” said a traffic official.