Silk Board Traffic Eases At Junction, But Bengaluru Readies New Projects For Fresh Choke Points

The much-hyped double-decker flyover at Bengaluru's Central Silk Board may have reduced congestion at the notorious junction itself, but South Bengaluru's traffic problem appears far from solved. Instead of disappearing, the bottleneck seems to have simply shifted to nearby exits and connecting roads - forcing authorities to now plan two more major flyover-underpass projects in the same corridor.

Just weeks after the full opening of the ₹499-crore double-decker rail-cum-road flyover between Ragigudda and Silk Board, commuters have started reporting fresh choke points emerging across surrounding stretches including Marenahalli Road, Aurobindo Marg and Bannerghatta Main Road.

While the 5.12-km-long structure helped create signal-free movement towards HSR Layout and Hosur Road, traffic pressure is now spilling onto feeder roads that were not designed to handle the sudden redistribution of vehicles.

Recognising the growing issue, the Bengaluru South City Corporation has initiated plans for two new grade-separated interchange projects near Raghavendra Swamy Mutt Junction and Vega City Mall Junction - both of which have now emerged as key congestion hotspots in South Bengaluru.

Authorities have floated tenders to appoint consultants for feasibility studies and detailed project reports (DPRs) for the proposed flyover-cum-underpass developments. Officials believe these projects could help manage the "next layer" of traffic chaos created after the opening of the double-decker corridor.

According to tender documents, the Raghavendra Swamy Mutt Junction on Marenahalli Road is witnessing rising pressure due to heavy vehicle movement, rapid commercial growth and upcoming Metro connectivity plans. Traffic police have also flagged increasing congestion along Aurobindo Marg, particularly near the 11th Main and 24th Main Road stretches, where vehicles are now piling up after bypassing Silk Board signals more quickly.

Meanwhile, another underpass project is being planned near Vega City Mall on Bannerghatta Main Road ahead of the future Metro Phase-3 rail-cum-road double-decker flyover connecting JP Nagar 4th Phase and Kempapura. The junction is strategically important because it lies close to the Pink Line corridor and the proposed starting point of the Orange Line Metro.

Urban mobility experts have long argued that flyovers alone rarely eliminate congestion permanently in Bengaluru. Instead, they often redistribute traffic to surrounding intersections, creating new pressure points unless the wider road network is upgraded simultaneously.

The proposed consultancy studies will now examine whether signal-free systems at both junctions are technically and economically feasible. Consultants will prepare conceptual designs, traffic diversion plans during construction, structural layouts, environmental assessments and cost analysis reports.

The consultants have been given three months to submit final DPRs. During the process, coordination will take place with multiple agencies including the Bangalore Development Authority, Traffic Police, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, BESCOM and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited.

For now, Bengaluru commuters say the Silk Board nightmare may have eased at the junction itself - but the gridlock has simply moved a few kilometres ahead.