Bengaluru: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to construct three-lane service roads along Hosur Road (NH-44) to ease congestion caused by ongoing grade-separator work at four key junctions. The move aims to ensure traffic keeps moving smoothly while major civil works are executed on the busy corridor that carries over 1.2 lakh passenger car units daily.Construction activity is under way at Guestline Circle, Guddahatti Gate, and Chandapura, while it is yet to start in Veerasandra. Six-lane underpasses for the main carriageway are planned to eliminate accident-prone black spots and improve long-term traffic flow. With excavation on the main carriageway expected to significantly disrupt movement, NHAI will divert vehicles onto widened three-lane service roads on both sides of the highway until underpass works are completed. Nearly 7km of such service roads will be developed by expanding the existing two-lane stretches. “Hosur Road is one of the busiest corridors and a significant portion comprises heavy trucks and trailers. Executing underpass works on the main carriageway will affect traffic flow. Hence, traffic must be diverted to upgraded three-lane service roads until completion. Existing two-lane service roads will be widened. The proposal was sent to NHAI headquarters and work will begin shortly,” an official said.The decision gained urgency after a Feb 5 cave-in of nearly 100 metres near Chandapura during excavation work, which paralysed traffic on the corridor. Since then, geotechnical experts have been deployed to supervise excavation, and retaining walls are being built to prevent soil collapse.Veerasandra culvert work Following severe waterlogging during last monsoon near White Feather Factory at Veerasandra junction, which led to traffic chaos and safety concerns, NHAI proposed building a box culvert to prevent flooding. Officials said nearly 90% of the precast box culvert work is completed, and preliminary works are under way. NHAI is awaiting traffic-diversion clearance from police to finish the remaining works before the onset of monsoon.
