Unfinished Bengaluru flyover turns into fitness hub, attracts runners, skaters and cyclists

Indian Express

6 days ago

A delayed infrastructure project in Bengaluru has found a new purpose as a vibrant fitness hub in the last few months, with the city's health buffs reclaiming the unused space for walking, jogging, cycling, and skating.
Built at a cost of Rs 449 crore, the Ragigudda flyover in Jayanagar is South India's first double-decker flyover. The flyover connecting Ragigudda to Silk Board junction through a signal-free corridor opened for vehicular traffic in July 2024. However, while the main flyover on one side is operational, the ramps from HSR Layout connecting Ragigudda and BTM Layout, covering a length of 1.37 km, are still under construction, rendering the other part of the flyover non-functional.
For the past three or four months, the delay on the part of the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike has turned into an opportunity for the public.
'We utilise the 3.5 km unopened stretch of the Ragigudda flyover towards Silk Board as part of our training route, taking advantage of its traffic-free, unused condition. This stretch is ideal for early morning runs, as there is no traffic and stray dogs don't chase us. We start our long-distance jogs at 4 am and continue till 7 am,' says Pramod Deshpande, the chief coach of Jayanagar Jaguars Running and Training Academy, leading a group of about 200 runners.
The joggers' routine involves running 3.5 km one way and 7 km back and forth, with some completing two loops for a total of 14 km. Runners also head toward Lalbagh or Madhavan Park, covering more than 20 km, including 7 km on the flyover to complete their training.
'We train every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, maintaining a consistent rhythm, with some runners covering up to 42 km on other days over four weekly sessions,' says Deshpande, appealing to the government to allow the public to use the flyover for recreational purposes at least till 7 am, when the corridor opens for vehicular traffic.
BMRCL officials acknowledged that the flyover was being used for recreational purposes. 'Ninety per cent of the ramp work is completed and the flyover is likely to be fully operational by August or September this year,' an official said.
A skater's paradise
Venkatramaiah and Harish, skating coaches at Force 1 Skating Academy, say they have been using the unused flyover for training kids in roller skates for the past three to four months. 'We train around 25-30 kids from 6-12 years. All of them are state- and national-level skaters and medallists. Earlier, we used to go till Hosur Road. Many of these kids reside in and around Jayanagar, and Hosur Road was very distant,' says Venkatramaiah.
He adds, 'Unlike the usual skating surface, the asphalt prompts skaters to put more effort and strengthens their overall skating performance.'
The children skate around 8 km in multiple loops, both ways, starting at 5.15 am and wrapping up by 6.30 am to get ready for school.
Vishwas's daughter just joined the academy a few weeks ago. 'The flyover, though unfortunately unopened for traffic, is allowing us to use it rightfully for skating and fitness purposes. Otherwise, we will have to go to far-off places like Hosur Road and sometimes practise on roads with minimal vehicular movement,' he says.
Echoing Deshpande's appeal, other parents say the government should restrict vehicular movement for two hours in the morning and allocate time for joggers, walkers and cyclists to use the space.
When MP Tejasvi Surya completed a run
The unused flyover stretch is also being used by runners. In fact, Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya completed an 8K run on the unopened stretch last Sunday.
'Ironically, the only good to come out of BMRCL and BBMP's delay is that this half-complete flyover has become a popular running, cycling, and skating track. Every morning, you will find hundreds of kids skating, people practising yoga, and walkers enjoying traffic-free peace. It is a powerful reminder that citizens will embrace public spaces if they are made available for active mobility – and if cars are kept out,' Surya said, posting a reel of himself jogging on the corridor on Instagram.
'Across the world, successful cities prioritise people over motor vehicles. Bengaluru, with its year-round mild climate, is uniquely positioned to do this. It may be the only Indian city where walking and cycling can thrive naturally. Instead of wasting resources on more flyovers and tunnel roads, the state government must invest in public transport and reclaim urban spaces for people. A less polluted, more liveable, and happier Bengaluru is not just possible – it's waiting,' he added.
Sanath Prasad is a senior sub-editor and reporter with the Bengaluru bureau of Indian Express. He covers education, transport, infrastructure and trends and issues integral to Bengaluru. He holds more than two years of reporting experience in Karnataka. His major works include the impact of Hijab ban on Muslim girls in Karnataka, tracing the lives of the victims of Kerala cannibalism, exploring the trends in dairy market of Karnataka in the aftermath of Amul-Nandini controversy, and Karnataka State Elections among others. If he is not writing, he keeps himself engaged with badminton, swimming, and loves exploring. ... Read More