DK Shivakumar Urges Nitin Gadkari to Fast-Track Hebbal-KIA Flyover and Key Bengaluru Road Projects

DK Shivakumar Urges Nitin Gadkari to Fast-Track Hebbal-KIA Flyover and Key Bengaluru Road Projects

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar met Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Wednesday to push for urgent attention to Bengaluru’s critical infrastructure projects. At the forefront of his appeal was the long-pending Hebbal Junction to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) flyover corridor—a vital link for North Bengaluru that remains incomplete.

Need for a Seamless Hebbal-KIA Corridor

Shivakumar emphasized the strategic importance of the proposed uninterrupted flyover between Hebbal and the airport, which lies approximately 35 kilometers from the city. With North Bengaluru rapidly urbanizing and commercial hubs mushrooming near the airport, traffic congestion on this stretch has reached alarming levels.

Kempegowda International Airport, one of India’s fastest-growing air travel hubs, has seen a surge in passenger traffic, intensifying the pressure on existing road infrastructure. The current route, despite partial elevation in places, includes multiple disjointed flyovers, traffic lights, and pedestrian crossings, all of which contribute to long delays and commuter frustration.

“The corridor is a lifeline for thousands of airport-bound travelers, logistics companies, and employees commuting to tech parks and industrial zones. A seamless flyover would ease congestion, cut travel time, and improve road safety,” Shivakumar noted in a memorandum submitted to Gadkari.

Roadblock on NH-209

Shivakumar also raised concerns over halted work on a 7-km stretch of National Highway 209 from Ravishankar Ashram to Kaggalipura Toll. While land acquisition has been completed, the construction has stalled due to objections from the National Green Tribunal (NGT). This delay has created a serious bottleneck impacting daily commuters and hindering connectivity to the rapidly growing Harohalli industrial area.

He urged the Centre to resolve the NGT-related roadblocks and resume construction to ensure smooth traffic flow, facilitate economic activity, and cater to the booming residential and industrial development in the region.

Additionally, Shivakumar appealed for NH-209 to be upgraded into a six-lane highway with service roads on both sides to accommodate increasing vehicular load and future development needs.

STRR Compensation Delay Affecting Farmers

Another pressing issue flagged by the Deputy CM was the delay in compensation for farmers affected by the Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR) project under NH-948A. The STRR, aimed at easing traffic in Bengaluru and improving regional connectivity, passes through key towns such as

Dobbaspet, Magadi, Ramanagara, Harohalli, and Anekal.

Initiated in 2019, the project has made little progress due to delayed land compensation. Shivakumar stressed the urgency of releasing dues to the affected farmers to restore their confidence and accelerate the project’s completion. “These delays have left many farmers in limbo. Timely compensation is crucial for both justice and the region’s development,” he said.

Looking Ahead

The projects highlighted by Shivakumar underscore the pressing need to enhance Bengaluru’s infrastructure in line with its expanding footprint as a commercial and residential powerhouse. The timely execution of these projects will not only decongest the city but also lay the groundwork for sustainable urban and regional growth.