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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
Unfinished Bengaluru flyover turns into fitness hub, attracts runners, skaters and cyclists
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
Hans India
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Govt reduced land allotted to Metro for real estate lobby: Min
Bengaluru: Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje has accused the Congress-led Karnataka government of reducing the land allotted to the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) from 46 acres to just 9 acres in the prime Hebbal area in Bengaluru to 'benefit' the real estate lobby and illegal immigrants. The area falls under the Bengaluru North Lok Sabha constituency, which MoS Karandlaje represents. Speaking to reporters after inspecting the site, where a proposed multimodal transport hub was to be developed, MoS Karandlaje said, 'We are in the Hebbal area of Bengaluru. In 2000, under the leadership of then CM late S.M. Krishna, 51 acres of land in the Hebbal-Amanikere area were acquired. After encroachments, 48 acres remain today. Just a month ago, the current government decided to hand over this land to BMRCL for the development of a multimodal transport hub.' 'However, very recently, the allotment was reduced to just 9 acres. Why was this done? Why did the government backtrack from its original decision to allocate 48 acres and now grant only 9? Who is behind this decision? Which real estate mafia is influencing this move? Let us not forget - this land is situated en route to the Bengaluru International Airport,' she said. Emphasising the strategic importance of the location, she said, 'This is going to be a major junction. A Metro station, BMTC depot, Ring Road connection, and NHAI roads are all planned here. The area is ideal for a multimodal transport hub that can significantly ease traffic congestion on the airport road.' 'But now, the government and the minister in charge have colluded to override the previous decision. How much money exchanged hands? How much was given to Randeep Singh Surjewala? These questions need answers,' she said. She added that local farmers, who had given up their land for development, are now demanding it back if it is going to be handed over to private parties. 'People from various states have settled here. There are Bengalis, Rohingyas. Anti-national activities are reportedly taking place. Garbage and bottles from across Bengaluru are dumped here. No one knows who these people are. Many claim to be from Kolkata and possess Aadhaar cards, some of which are fake, along with fake voter ID cards. They claim to have lived here for 10 to 15 years,' MoS Karandlaje said.
The Hindu
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Ravishankar J. appointed as new MD of BMRCL
Ahead of the opening of the long-awaited Yellow Line of Namma Metro, the Karnataka government on Friday has appointed Ravishankar J., a 2001-batch IAS officer, as the new Managing Director of the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). He succeeded M. Maheshwar Rao, IAS, who was relieved from the additional responsibility. Mr. Ravishankar was serving as the Secretary in the Agriculture Department. A graduate of dental surgery, Mr. Ravishankar has held various positions across the State, including Secretary of the Housing Department and Special Commissioner at the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). His past roles include stints at the Urban Development Department, Municipal Administration, Kannada and Culture, and Urban Housing departments. He has previously served as Deputy Commissioner in multiple districts. Mr. Ravishankar faces the challenge of opening the long-awaited Yellow Line at the earliest, as public patience continues to wear out. Although the line is physically complete, the BMRCL has missed multiple deadlines to make it operational. The corporation is now planning to open it in August. Mr. Ravishankar will have to tackle the task of ensuring timely completion of the under-construction Pink and Blue Lines of the Bengaluru Metro. e.
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru Metro fare hike: Karnataka HC issues notices to state government, BMRCL
The Karnataka High Court on Monday directed the state government, Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), and the Union government to respond to a legal plea demanding the public release of a key report that led to Bengaluru's recent metro fare hike, Indian Express reported. The court has given the parties two weeks to submit their replies.(PTI File Photo) The petition, filed by Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya, argues that commuters have a right to know the basis on which fares were raised earlier this year, an increase that briefly made Namma Metro the costliest in the country. The court has given the parties two weeks to submit their replies. (Also Read: Bengaluru woman arrested for boiling newborn alive after it 'refused milk and cried nonstop': Report) Surya's petition raises concerns over BMRCL's refusal to publish the report of the Fare Fixation Committee (FFC), which was submitted in December 2024. The committee, chaired by former judge R Tharani, had studied pricing models from metros across India and abroad, including Singapore and Hong Kong, before recommending fare revisions. Though BMRCL acknowledged receiving the report and implemented fare hikes on February 9 this year, raising maximum fares from ₹60 to ₹90, the report has yet to be shared with the public. Following criticism, including from elected representatives and commuters, BMRCL made partial fare rollbacks on February 14, limiting the hike to 71%. Surya's counsel told the court that despite multiple representations made between April and May, BMRCL has failed to disclose the report, claiming it is awaiting government approval, the report further added. During the hearing, Justice Sunil Dutt Yadav expressed concern over the agency's inaction and asked the petitioner's lawyer why even a Member of Parliament was unable to obtain the report. In a post on social media platform X, Surya criticised the BMRCL's opacity: 'The public deserves to know the contents of this report. Ideally, it shouldn't require the High Court's intervention.' He urged the metro authority to release the report without further delay. Fellow Bengaluru MP P C Mohan echoed the demand, stating, 'Transparency shouldn't require a court order. Bengaluru commuters deserve to know how metro fares are fixed.' The petition also cites practices from other Indian metro networks, including Mumbai and Hyderabad, where fare-related reports have been made publicly accessible. Surya contends that BMRCL, being a public body, is bound to uphold transparency and not burden citizens with arbitrary fare decisions. The matter is scheduled for its next hearing in two weeks. (Also Read: Karnataka woman duped of ₹3.16 crore in 'digital arrest' scam by fake police)
Hindustan Times
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru's Yellow Line Metro may open by August 15, says BMRCL Chief: Report
After months of anticipation, the Bengaluru Metro's much-delayed Yellow Line, which connects RV Road to Bommasandra via Electronic City, is now expected to open by August 15, according to top officials at the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), Indian Express reported. BMRCL Managing Director Maheshwar Rao.(X/M Maheshwar Rao) The announcement follows a citizen-led protest rally organized by BJP MPs and MLAs on Saturday, demanding the immediate commissioning of the stretch. (Also read: 'Bengaluru existed before IT boom': Viral post counters city's retirement-town label) The event, held under the banner 'Yellow Line na open maadi (Open Yellow Line)', drew attention to growing commuter frustration over the delay in connecting major tech and industrial corridors of the city. BMRCL Managing Director Maheshwar Rao said the Yellow Line has received its third train, and final testing is currently underway. Since the corridor is designed for driverless, automated trains, an independent safety assessment is in progress, the report further added. According to the publication, due to limited rolling stock availability, operations on the Yellow Line will begin on a modest scale. Only three trains will be available initially, with a 20-minute headway between services. The trains will stop at five to six key stations during the early phase. Rao added that full-scale service will be ramped up gradually. BMRCL is expecting two new trains every month from August onwards from the Titagarh Rail System. Data on ridership and commuter flow to Bommasandra will inform future adjustments. Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya, who spearheaded the protest alongside Bangalore Central MP P C Mohan, also demanded transparency from BMRCL on its fare pricing strategy. A recent fare fixation report recommending over 100% hike in Metro fares has drawn criticism from commuters, prompting calls for the report to be made public. (Also Read: 'Why is she even here?': Canara Bank official faces backlash for not understanding Kannada. Watch)
