After 14 years, work restarts on Kanteerava Studio ORR underpass

Long-delayed underpass on Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road sees fresh activity as BDA resumes construction after years of land and utility hurdles.

After more than a decade of delays, construction activity has resumed at the Kanteerava Studio Junction underpass on Bengaluru’s busy Outer Ring Road (ORR). The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has restarted work on the long-pending project, bringing fresh hope to commuters in northwestern parts of the city.

The underpass, which serves as a crucial link between Peenya on one side and Kanteerava Studio Road leading towards Nandini Layout on the other, has remained incomplete for over 14 years. Despite the slow progress, close to ₹100 crore has already been spent on the project, covering both construction and land acquisition costs.

Originally sanctioned in 2011 at an estimated cost of ₹47.4 crore, the project saw expenses escalate sharply over time. Around ₹39 crore has been spent on construction work, while nearly ₹60 crore went towards acquiring land. Persistent litigation related to land acquisition stalled the project for years, leaving the junction unsafe for motorists and pedestrians alike.

Also Read:Proposal submitted to DGCA to shift Jakkur Flying Training School to Mysuru

At present, the ramp on the Peenya side and the central portion beneath the ORR have been completed. However, the ramp on the opposite side remained untouched until recently. Following the shifting of underground utilities, excavation work has now begun on this remaining stretch, allowing construction to finally move forward.

The prolonged delay has taken a toll on road conditions around the junction. The surrounding roads are riddled with potholes, leading to frequent accidents and forcing traffic police to intervene regularly after repeated appeals to civic agencies went unanswered. Adding to the neglect, the area above the underpass was until recently used as a parking space for waste vehicles, while the completed Peenya-side ramp has turned into a dumping ground for debris.

While senior BDA officials estimate that the underpass could be completed within six months, engineers working at the site indicate that the remaining work may take up to ten months, leaving the final completion timeline uncertain.

Also Read:Messi lands in Delhi, ₹1-crore meet-and-greet steals spotlight