Crack in Flyover Forces Shutdown on Hosur-Bengaluru NH-44; Traffic Suspended After Structural Scare

A 700-metre-long flyover on the Hosur-Bengaluru National Highway (NH-44) was shut for vehicular movement late Saturday night, June 21, 2025, after a critical bearing failure caused a transverse shift in the structure. The timely detection helped avert any untoward incident, though the closure disrupted inter-State traffic toward Bengaluru during peak evening hours.

According to a report by The Hindu, a team from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), along with an independent bridge expert, inspected the flyover on Sunday to assess its structural integrity.

Virender Sambyal, Regional Officer and part of the inspecting team, said that the failure may have resulted from a combination of factors such as natural wear and tear or sudden failure. Bridge bearings, which enable movement and support load transfer from the superstructure to the substructure, play a vital role in structural stability. "As of now, we do not see any damage to the structure. The bearing will have to be replaced," he added.

Restoration Plan and Safety Measures

Sambyal noted that the structural shift will be reversed using hydraulic jacks. However, the team will observe the bridge for 48 hours before initiating any corrective measures. Light vehicle traffic is expected to be restored initially, while full restoration of normal traffic flow may take up to a month.

The inspecting team also included G.L. Verma, an independent bridge expert, and Golla Ramesh, NHAI Project Director from Krishnagiri.

The flyover, often referred to as the "GRT flyover," was commissioned in 2002. A 40-metre stretch of the structure experienced the shift, prompting authorities to shut down the entire 700-metre span as a precaution. A patrol team first noticed the lateral movement and promptly informed NHAI, said a source from MSV Consultants, the firm responsible for maintenance of the highway section between Hosur and Krishnagiri.

Traffic Diversion

As a temporary measure, traffic between Hosur and Bengaluru is being diverted to the parallel lane used by Hosur-Krishnagiri traffic. Despite these efforts, the closure caused significant congestion. "It took over two hours to cover a two-kilometre stretch," said K. Velmurugan, former president of the Hosur Small and Tiny Industries Association. He also pointed to the long-standing demand for an alternate North Inner Ring Road that has seen no action for nearly eight years.

Additionally, the Hosur Corporation issued an emergency advisory on Saturday night asking shops and food carts operating under the flyover to vacate the area as a safety precaution.

While immediate safety measures are in place, the incident has highlighted broader concerns about infrastructure maintenance and the lack of contingency planning for traffic rerouting. With NHAI continuing to monitor the structure for any further issues, the next steps will focus on controlled restoration and a longer-term review of structural health across key national highways.