Parents want Hebbal flyover fixed, but Bangalore Development Authority says it’s safe

BENGALURU: Several parents, especially mothers of kids who commute along Hebbal flyover on Ballari Road every day, are a worried lot. Reason: Rumours about about the structure getting weakened and the ramps vibrating have been doing the rounds on WhatsApp and other platforms.
The flyover, a crucial link to Kempegowda International airport (KIA), bears the load of lakhs of vehicles every day. Even school buses headed to institutions in Jakkur, Yelahanka and other areas in north Bengaluru use the flyover.
“Whenever I cross Hebbal flyover, I keep my fingers crossed. School buses are stranded for long during rush hour. Since our children travel on the route twice a day, we can’t breathe easy till they are back home,” said Shwetha Gautam, parent of a child from Mallya Aditi International School.

A recent WhatsApp video showing cracks in the flyover and increasing traffic congestion on the stretch left parents jittery. Some of them are approaching Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to look into the matter.
Smitha Sirish, whose child studies in Vidyaniketan school, said, “When you travel on Hebbal flyover during peak hours, it vibrates. I have experienced it myself. Schoolchildren can’t take any other route. I was shocked when I saw it in the video once again. The structure was built only a few years ago and it’s not able to withstand the pressure.”
Lamenting the situation, Sanjay Jain, another parent, said, “Authorities are being negligent even though lives of so many commuters, especially kids, are at stake. The officials concerned should repair the flyover on priority,” adding: “Since the matter has come to the notice of most parents now, we should unite and launch a campaign to get the flyover fixed.”
When asked about the parents’ concerns, BDA engineering member Shiva Kumar said they needn’t worry about the flyover’s stability. “Regular maintenance work is going on. We recently removed dirt accumulated in weep holes (which drain out rainwater). There is no vibration along the ramps or weakening of the structure,” he said.
On Monday, BDA issued a media statement that a team of engineers and experts had inspected the flyover. “No structural distress has been observed in any of the ramps. However, a high-level meeting of stakeholders has been convened on Tuesday to discuss short-term and long-term measures to address issues related to maintenance and safety of the structure,” said the statement.
Hebbal flyover was inaugurated in 2003. It was completed in a record time of 24 months at a cost of Rs 65 crore.