Bengaluru: Bengaluru’s roads could be in for a dramatic transformation. The city’s traffic police have unveiled an ambitious plan proposing 25 underpasses, 35 flyovers, and 101 skywalks, alongside more than 3,700 smaller interventions — from clearer signage to improved drainage — all aimed at easing the daily grind for commuters.The proposals, submitted to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), stem from a detailed audit that mapped congestion hotspots, accident-prone stretches, and the city’s most notorious traffic bottlenecks, offering a glimpse of what a smoother, safer Bengaluru might look like.Senior police officials say the scale of recommendations reflects the depth of the problem. “With nearly 2,000 new vehicles being added to the roads every day, the city’s infrastructure is struggling to keep pace. The report identifies East Bengaluru — particularly Mahadevapura and Whitefield — as the most stressed zones, requiring a majority of the proposed flyovers and pedestrian infrastructure,” said an official.“The recommendations are based on granular, on-ground data — traffic density, accident frequency and junction performance,” said Karthik Reddy, joint commissioner of police (traffic), adding: “We’re looking at a mix of engineering interventions and traffic management reforms. Signal-free corridors, removal of choke points and pedestrian safety measures are essential if we want measurable decongestion.” The audit identifies 25 major junctions where signal-free movement can be enabled through underpasses or grade separators, including Hebbal, Sarakki Circle and Bannerghatta Road (Dalmia Junction), while flyovers were proposed at key intersections such as Varthur Kodi, Dommasandra, Gunjur, HAL Old Airport Road and Yelahanka. The plan also prioritises 101 skywalks along high-risk corridors such as Hosur Road, Old Madras Road, Mysuru Road and Kanakapura Road, as well as junctions near National Highway 44, which have recorded high pedestrian fatalities. According to the data accessed by TOI, 2,340 locations were identified for installation of traffic signboards, the highest among all categories, along with 707 stretches requiring thermoplastic road markings, pointing to weak lane discipline and poor on-ground traffic guidance. The audit also flags 103 bus stops that need to be relocated away from junctions and calls for 63 dedicated bus bays to prevent buses from halting on carriageways and disrupting traffic flow. In addition, 84 poorly designed speed breakers were marked for removal and 75 accident-prone junctions were identified for safety improvements under the Surakshya-75 programme. Waterlogging continues to be a major contributor to congestion, with 137 locations identified where even moderate rainfall leads to traffic disruption. Police note that stagnant water damages road surfaces and forces vehicles to slow down, creating cascading bottlenecks across arterial roads. Urban planners point out that such recurring issues highlight deeper gaps in coordination between road design and drainage infrastructure.Addressing pedestrian safety The report also raises concerns over pedestrian safety, with more than 200 deaths recorded annually. While fatalities have declined marginally — from 260 in 2023 to 225 in 2025 — the numbers remain high, with a majority of deaths occurring while crossing roads lacking safe infrastructure. “Nearly 200 pedestrian fatalities are directly linked to infrastructure gaps,” said a police official, adding: “Skywalks and safer crossings are not optional anymore — they are essential.” Parking troubleParking and public transport inefficiencies compound the problem. The audit identifies 66 locations for multi-level car parking facilities, reflecting the mismatch between rapid vehicle growth and available parking infrastructure, while poorly placed bus stops and the absence of bus bays continue to disrupt both traffic flow and commuter safety. Senior officials at the Greater Bengaluru Authority indicated that while the recommendations are extensive, implementation will be phased given financial, land and logistical constraints. “This is one of the most detailed traffic audits we’ve seen,” said Mahesshwar Rao, chief commissioner of the GBA. “However, implementing 35 flyovers, 25 underpasses, and over 100 skywalks will require careful prioritisation, land acquisition assessments, and financial planning. We will align these proposals with ongoing Metro, suburban rail, and bus network expansions to ensure a lasting impact.” IN THE PIPELINEType of workNo. of worksRequirement of skywalk101Alternative road for reduce traffic35Waterlogging places137Removal of road humps 84Shifting BMTC bus stops103Requirement of bus bays63Surakshya-75 junctions75MLCP parking locations66Requirement of signboards2,340Thermoplastic707Requirement of underpasses25Requirement of flyovers35 Source: Bengaluru Traffic Police
