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Signals, snarls and endless wait may finally change at Whitefield’s Hope Farm Junction. After 11 years of delays, Bengaluru’s long-stalled underpass project is finally moving ahead
Bengaluru Traffic News: While residents welcomed the long-delayed project, many commuters remained sceptical about whether it would fully resolve Whitefield’s worsening traffic problems (Representative Image)
Bengaluru Traffic Update: After more than a decade of delays, construction has finally started on the long-pending Hope Farm Junction underpass in Bengaluru. Civic authorities have set a target of roughly 200 days to complete the Rs 35-crore project, which is expected to ease congestion at one of Whitefield’s busiest traffic bottlenecks.
The underpass was first proposed over 11 years ago and is intended to make a major portion of the junction signal-free, offering relief to thousands of commuters who currently face long delays at the intersection every day.
Hope Farm Junction Handles Traffic From Four Major Corridors
At present, traffic from Whitefield, Kadugodi, ITPL and Chandapura converges at Hope Farm Junction, creating severe congestion during both peak and non-peak hours. Motorists often spend several minutes waiting through signal cycles that can last close to 120 seconds, resulting in long vehicle queues and regular commuter frustration, as reported in The Times Of India.
Under the new design, the 300-metre underpass will allow vehicles travelling between Whitefield and Kadugodi to move below the junction without signals. For traffic moving between ITPL and Chandapura, commuters will continue using the surface road above.
Land Acquisition Delays Stalled Project For Years
Officials from the Bengaluru East civic body said prolonged land acquisition issues were the primary reason behind the project’s decade-long delay.
According to engineers associated with the project, six private properties need to be acquired for the underpass. However, disputes over compensation methods, including Transferable Development Rights (TDR) and direct cash compensation, remained unresolved for years, preventing physical work from starting earlier.
An official connected to the project said negotiations are now nearing resolution, allowing construction activity to move ahead more quickly.
Nearly 30 Trees To Be Cut Or Relocated
The project will involve cutting and relocation of nearly 30 trees along the stretch.
Officials said the tree expert committee has approved the removal of a limited number of trees while allowing others to be transplanted wherever possible. Around eight trees have already been cleared, while permissions for the remaining trees will be obtained in phases as land acquisition progresses.
Construction of retaining walls has already started on the Kadugodi side after tree clearance work. Authorities are also developing temporary service roads along one side of the Whitefield-bound carriageway to maintain traffic movement during construction.
However, work on the opposite side of the road is yet to begin.
Part Of Larger Rs 140-Crore Whitefield Mobility Plan
The Hope Farm underpass forms part of a larger Rs 140-crore traffic improvement package planned for Bengaluru’s eastern corridor. The broader project includes:
- An underpass at Hope Farm Junction
- Another underpass at Big Bazaar Junction
- A flyover at Hoodi
The plan was designed to address worsening congestion across the rapidly expanding Whitefield region.
Despite this, officials admitted that little physical progress has so far been made on the proposed Big Bazaar Junction underpass and Hoodi flyover.
Residents Welcome Move But Remain Cautious
While residents welcomed the long-delayed project, many commuters remained sceptical about whether it would fully resolve Whitefield’s worsening traffic problems. Residents said Hope Farm Junction continues to be one of Bengaluru’s biggest choke points and warned that construction activity, especially during the monsoon, could further worsen congestion. Some also questioned whether older traffic studies still reflected present-day vehicle volumes.
Concerns were also raised over inadequate temporary traffic arrangements near the construction zone, with residents urging authorities to publish clearer diversion routes and act against roadside parking violations to ease traffic during the construction phase.
For now, commuters are expected to face several more months of disruption as work progresses on a project many believe should have been completed years ago.
Bangalore, India, India
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