Bengaluru: You can soon bypass Sadahalli Gate Traffic en route to airport!

After a decade of delays, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has revived its long-pending plan to construct an underpass at Sadahalli Gate on Ballari Road, aiming to eliminate the last remaining traffic signal on the route to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). This long-awaited move is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion and streamline airport access for thousands of daily commuters.

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Originally proposed ten years ago, the underpass project was stalled due to local opposition, design flaws, and overlapping infrastructure plans with the Namma Metro's Blue Line. Despite initial efforts such as barricading the road, work came to a halt, forcing commuters to endure persistent traffic snarls at the Sadahalli signal. The renewed project now comes with fresh design clearances, and NHAI is preparing to issue tenders and begin construction.

Project Director K.B. Jayakumara confirmed that the underpass will span approximately 800 metres and cost an estimated ₹40 crore. The underpass will allow uninterrupted access for airport-bound vehicles and those heading towards Devanahalli, bypassing the Sadahalli toll plaza entirey.

Though specific timelines for commencement and completion are yet to be announced, the project promises a transformative impact. Once completed, travellers from central Bengaluru will experience signal-free travel to KIA from Windsor Manor junction, improving commute times and reducing bottlenecks.

The underpass is part of a broader set of upgrades planned along the KIA corridor. NHAI is also addressing long-standing service road issues. A new service road costing ₹6 crore will be built in front of the Government Flying Training School at Jakkur, providing a continuous route for local traffic. Additionally, a service road is proposed near Yelahanka Air Force Station using the ‘cut and cover’ method, pending clearance from defence authorities.

These efforts, combined with the now-completed elevated Metro corridor along the Blue Line, are expected to modernize access routes to KIA and bring long-overdue relief to daily commuters.