‘Flyovers do not fix traffic’: Residents oppose B-SMILE’s Ragigudda-Kanakapura elevated corridor

Residents forming a human chain to protest against the proposed elevated corridor between Ragigudda and Kanakapura in Bengaluru, on Sunday. | Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN A large number of residents of south Bengaluru formed a human chain near the R.V. Road Metro Station on Sunday, showing strong resistance to the proposed Ragigudda-Kanakapura Road elevated corridor and demanding that the project be scrapped.They wanted better connectivity on the Green Line.Carrying placards with messages such as “Flyovers do not fix traffic”, the residents called for more frequent metro services, better last-mile connectivity and parking facilities at nearby metro stations. They questioned the need for another major road project when the Green Line already serves areas along the proposed corridor, and said the project would affect houses, parks and neighbourhoods.At least 150 residents from multiple Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs) formed the human chain for 45 minutes, requesting B-SMILE, the agency implementing the project, to explore alternatives.The resistance follows similar opposition from residents of Indiranagar, C.V. Raman Nagar and HAL to the proposed elevated corridor between Old Madras Road and Silk Board Junction. Separate groups in east Bengaluru have been opposing that project.In August, the B-SMILE floated tenders for the Ragigudda corridor, following which residents consulted traffic and transport experts and reviewed the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and pointed out against multiple aspects of the project. “We are residents who are concerned about the elevated corridor, and we would like public transport to improve instead,” said residents Guruprasad D.N. and K.G. Murali. The residents raised concerns about the proposed alignment along the Cauvery water pipeline network maintained by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, which supplies water to south Bengaluru.They said the construction could affect the five major pipelines, houses along the alignment and nearby green spaces.Rose Garden, parks along the pipeline, Thalaghattapura lake park, Gubbalala lake park and a forested area near Kanakapura Road are among the areas residents fear could be affected. They also said parts of some houses could be acquired for the project, while construction and traffic could bring noise and dust.“This is about our homes. We bought these houses and have lived here peacefully for more than two decades. This is effectively asking us to move out of our own houses,” the residents said. Published - October 11, 2026 06:53 pm IST