Bengaluru's Peenya Flyover Reopens After 3 Years—What Are the New Restrictions?

After a lengthy delay of nearly three years, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has finally reopened the Peenya flyover in north Bengaluru to heavy vehicles, but with some restrictions. The move comes following widespread criticism from commuters who were stuck in traffic on Tumakuru Road due to the closure.

Although the flyover is now open, heavy vehicle drivers will still face inconvenience on weekends due to ongoing repair work. The NHAI has prohibited heavy motor vehicles from using the flyover from Friday 6 a.m. to Saturday 6 a.m. until further notice.

Additionally, the traffic police have imposed a speed limit of 40 km/h on the flyover, as recommended by NHAI. The authority has also directed heavy motor vehicles to use the left lane and adhere to the speed limit.

The decision to reopen the flyover follows a series of events that began on December 25, 2021, when NHAI discovered slippage of pre-stressed cables in two spans during a routine inspection. The initial two-week ban on vehicle movement was later extended due to safety concerns, leading to significant traffic disruptions and prompting discussions in the Assembly about the delay in work.

The three-year delay in repairing the Peenya flyover has caused significant traffic congestion on Tumakuru Road, with thousands of vehicles traveling along the route daily. The restriction on heavy vehicles had led to traffic jams beneath the flyover, particularly from Goraguntepalya to the Parle-G toll gate.

Motorists have expressed frustration over the NHAI's decision to restrict heavy vehicle movement on weekends, citing concerns about traffic congestion and safety. A resident of Jalahalli urged NHAI to conduct an inquiry into the repairs and consult experts, citing lack of transparency and delays in completing the work. Another resident urged both state and central governments to initiate an inquiry into the problems plaguing the flyover.

The repair work on the 4.2-km-long flyover is expected to be completed at a cost of ₹38.5 crore. Despite the reopening of the flyover, commuters are still wary about potential traffic congestion and are urging authorities to complete the repairs promptly and ensure smooth traffic flow.