Bengaluru East Corporation reviews infra projects to reduce congestion

Corporation reviews decongestion projects

The Bengaluru East Corporation has reviewed multiple infrastructure projects taken up specifically to ease traffic congestion across its jurisdiction. Officials from the civic body met to assess the current status of ongoing works, including road widening, junction improvements, and flyover construction.

The review comes amid growing commuter frustration over peak-hour gridlocks in key corridors. The corporation is tasked with executing several state-funded and city-level projects aimed at improving traffic flow in the eastern parts of Bengaluru, which have seen rapid commercial and residential growth in recent years.

Key projects under scanner

Among the projects discussed were the widening of major arterial roads such as Old Madras Road and Whitefield Road. Junction improvements at critical points like KR Puram and Marathahalli were also evaluated. These spots remain notorious for daily bottlenecks despite earlier interventions.

Officials also reviewed the progress of under-construction flyovers and elevated corridors. The corporation's engineering wing presented detailed reports on physical progress, cost overruns, and timelines for completion. Some projects are running behind schedule due to delays in land acquisition and utility shifting.

Challenges highlighted

Land acquisition continues to be a significant hurdle. Many road-widening projects require private land parcels, and negotiations with owners have been slow. Utility shifting — relocating water pipes, electricity cables, and fibre optic lines — has also caused delays at several sites.

Senior officials acknowledged these bottlenecks and directed the engineering team to coordinate with other departments. The corporation has also sought faster approvals from the Bangalore Development Authority and the traffic police for road closures and diversions needed during construction.

Financial constraints were another talking point. The corporation is working within a fixed annual budget, and cost escalations on some projects have forced reallocation of funds from less critical works.

Next steps

The corporation plans to hold monthly review meetings to track progress. Officials have been asked to submit revised timelines for all pending projects within two weeks. Commuters in east Bengaluru can expect some relief only after key stretches are completed, likely in phases over the next 12 to 18 months.

Residents' groups have been demanding greater transparency and faster execution. The corporation has promised to share project updates on its website and through local ward committees.

What to watch: Whether the corporation can stick to the new timelines and whether coordination with other agencies improves in the coming months.