Illegal parking beneath Bengaluru's Hebbal Flyover is worsening traffic congestion near Baptist Hospital. Encroachments, a narrow service road, a busy BMTC bus stop and ongoing roadworks have led to daily gridlock and raised road safety concerns.
The Hebbal flyover, inaugurated last August to ease traffic congestion at one of Bengaluru's busiest junctions, is now facing criticism for creating a new set of problems. The flyover was designed to facilitate smoother traffic flow for vehicles travelling from Kempegowda International Airport via Esteem Mall and for commuters from Nagawara joining Ballari Road. However, the area beneath the structure has turned into a hub for illegal parking and encroachments. Adding to commuters' woes, the BMTC bus stop near Baptist Hospital has emerged as a major traffic bottleneck and is increasingly being viewed as a potential accident hotspot.
Area Beneath Flyover Taken Over by Illegal Parking
The entire stretch beneath the flyover has effectively become an unauthorised parking zone. Two-wheelers, cars, mini-buses and even BBMP garbage lorries are routinely parked beneath the structure, with several vehicles reportedly remaining stationary for weeks.
The illegal parking has significantly reduced the available road space, making it difficult for vehicles to move freely and contributing to frequent traffic congestion.
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Bus Stop Design Adds to Congestion
The BMTC bus stop located in front of Baptist Hospital has further aggravated the traffic situation. Buses arriving from Esteem Mall, KR Puram and Nagawara all halt at the same point, leading to long queues of vehicles during peak hours.
As buses stop to pick up and drop off passengers, traffic slows considerably, creating a major bottleneck on the already congested service road.
Narrow Service Road Struggles to Handle Heavy Traffic
The service road beneath the flyover, near the railway tracks, has become an unofficial parking area for BMTC buses. Meanwhile, ongoing construction work on Vishwanath Nagenahalli Main Road has diverted heavy vehicles, including tractors and construction equipment, through this stretch. BBMP garbage tippers also regularly use the same route.
For pedestrians walking between the flyover circle and Baptist Hospital, especially during peak hours, navigating the narrow service road has become increasingly difficult and unsafe.
Roadworks and Diversions Worsen Daily Gridlock
Construction work on Sanjaynagar Main Road has been ongoing for nearly one-and-a-half years, forcing traffic to divert through Bhoopasandra Main Road. Vehicles from Vishwanath Nagenahalli also merge onto the service road via Cholanayakanahalli, further increasing traffic volume.
Commuters travelling from Hebbal towards the Outer Ring Road via Sanjaynagar and Bhoopasandra are compelled to use the same narrow service road past Baptist Hospital. Despite being barely wide enough for smooth movement, the road carries two-way traffic, resulting in severe congestion. During peak hours, motorists often take between 10 and 15 minutes to cover the 200-metre stretch.
Limited Traffic Management Raises Safety Concerns
Traffic management in the area appears to be limited. Although one or two traffic police personnel or home guards are occasionally stationed near the Baptist Hospital bus stop between 8 am and 9 am, their presence is rarely seen for the remainder of the day.
As a result, school buses, vans, BBMP garbage lorries, construction vehicles and parents dropping their children at nearby schools are left to navigate the congested stretch with little traffic regulation.
Residents and commuters have also expressed concern over the emergence of an unauthorised auto-rickshaw stand near the bus stop, which has further narrowed the available carriageway. Combined with illegal parking and the poorly located bus stop, the situation has raised serious concerns about commuter safety and increased the risk of accidents in the area.
