Old map of Bengaluru’s unfinished circular railway revives traffic concerns

A 1960s map showing a proposed Circular Railway Line for Bengaluru has resurfaced on social media, triggering discussions about the city’s enduring traffic problems. The vintage map, shared by a popular weather blogger on X, highlights a railway plan connecting major areas like Koramangala, Jayanagar, Rajajinagar, Mysore Road, and Ulsoor. The project, titled “Diagram of the Plan for the New Railway Junction and Ring Railway in Bengaluru,” never came to fruition, leaving many to wonder what could have been. 

In the 1960s, Indian Railways proposed a plan for Ring Railway/Circular Railway line around BENGALURU city which didn't become a reality 🥲

If they would have gone ahead with it, today our city wouldn't have been a bottleneck for traffic jams

What a great miss 😔🤷#Bangalorepic.twitter.com/amHlBiAjh8

— Karnataka Weather (@Bnglrweatherman) November 24, 2024

The blogger lamented the missed opportunity, saying, “If this had been implemented, Bengaluru wouldn’t be struggling with today’s traffic bottlenecks. What a lost chance!” The post quickly gained traction, with over 18,500 views and hundreds of likes and shares.

Also Read: ‘Bangalore not a city, but beautiful experience’: Tech entrepreneur pens emotional note as he shifts to Pune

Reactions to the post were mixed, with many expressing frustration. Some pointed fingers at a lack of commitment to long-term infrastructure projects, claiming that political priorities favored more lucrative ventures. One user cynically observed, “Flyovers and highways bring profits, while railways don’t. That’s why projects like these are abandoned!”

The map has reignited debates on Bengaluru’s urban planning failures, with citizens reflecting on how the city’s traffic issues might have been alleviated if such sustainable public transport options had been prioritized decades ago.