Double-decker flyover eases Silk Board traffic but sparks new congestion issues in surrounding areas

Silk Board Junction double-decker flyover eases traffic but diversions cause congestion in Bengaluru, sparking traffic management concerns.

The traffic jams on the Silk Board Junction in Bengaluru have been the stuff of urban folklore, spawning multiple memes and jokes. But the opening of the much-awaited double-decker flyover, stretching 5.1 km from the upcoming Ragigudda metro station to Central Silk Board, has indeed partially eased traffic at the Silk Board stretch. However, several diversions made by the traffic police to make the flyover easily accessible have led to increased traffic in the surrounding areas.

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) constructed the flyover at a cost of ₹449 crore to alleviate the infamous traffic bottleneck at the Central Silk Board junction. It was meant to offer a smoother and quicker route for commuters heading towards K.R. Puram and Hosur Road, potentially cutting travel time by over 30%.

Early in August, during a visit to the stretch by The Hindu, it was observed that only vehicles from Ragigudda were using the flyover, and a significant amount of traffic that comes from BTM Layout, J.P. Nagar, and Bannerghatta Road continued to congest the roads below. The bottleneck near BTM Layout and Central Silk Board remained a significant issue. A more recent visit revealed that commuters and residents around the flyover ramp have also been experiencing unanticipated and increased traffic in the last month.

The Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP), to make the flow to the flyover smooth, have stopped right turn at junctions near the entry to the flyover, forcing commuters to take longer routes negotiating bottlenecks.

Those coming from Jayanagar 4th block or passing through Shalini Ground and those wanting to enter Banashankari or Kanakapura Road are now forced to go all the way to Sarakki market instead of taking a right turn at the Raghavendra Swamy Mutt Signal.

Commuters coming from Banashankari or Sangam Circle wanting to enter J.P. Nagar will have to take a U-turn at the Rajalakshmi Hospital and enter via Sarakki or go all the way till the Central Mall in Jayanagar 9th Block and take a diversion from there.

Another major issue with the diversion is that commuters coming from J.P. Nagar are forced to go an extra 1.5 or 2 km to enter the ramp of the flyover, as the right diversion has been stopped from J.P. Nagar 1st phase and 2nd phase, towards Marenahalli.