After 11 years of traffic snarls, Hope Farm underpass work finally takes off in Bengaluru

One of Whitefield’s worst traffic choke points is finally getting a long-promised fix. Work has officially begun on the Rs 35-crore Hope Farm Junction underpass after more than a decade of delays, land disputes and stalled execution. The project aims to make the busy junction signal-free for thousands of commuters travelling between Whitefield and Kadugodi every day.

Hope Farm Junction handles traffic pouring in from Whitefield, Kadugodi, ITPL and Chandapura, turning the stretch into a daily gridlock zone. During peak hours, vehicles crawl through long queues while commuters wait through signal cycles lasting nearly two minutes. Residents say congestion here no longer depends on office hours, the bottleneck now lasts almost all day.

The new grade separator will allow vehicles travelling between Whitefield and Kadugodi to move below the junction without stopping at traffic signals. Traffic between ITPL and Chandapura will continue on the surface road. Officials believe separating these traffic streams will significantly reduce congestion and improve movement across east Bengaluru’s rapidly expanding tech corridor.

The project was proposed over 11 years ago but remained stuck due to land acquisition challenges involving six private properties around the junction. Negotiations over compensation, including Transferable Development Rights (TDR) and cash payouts, dragged on for years. Civic officials now say most disputes are finally nearing resolution, allowing physical work to move ahead.

While residents are relieved that work has finally begun, several believe the project may not fully solve Whitefield’s exploding traffic problem. Commuters point out that the original traffic assessments were conducted years ago, long before the area witnessed its current IT and residential boom. Heavy truck movement, BMTC buses, corporate shuttles and school buses are expected to continue adding pressure even after completion.

Officials confirmed that nearly 30 trees along the corridor will either be removed or relocated to make space for the underpass. Around eight trees have already been cut after receiving approvals from the tree expert committee. Authorities say additional permissions will be taken in stages as more land is acquired for the project.

Residents say temporary traffic management around the construction zone remains inadequate for current traffic volumes. Alternative routes are limited and roadside parking already narrows key stretches around the junction. With monsoon approaching, many fear the next several months could become even more chaotic before the promised long-term relief arrives.

Workers have begun retaining wall construction on the Kadugodi side after clearing trees along the stretch. Temporary service roads are also being created to keep traffic moving during construction. However, work on the opposite carriageway has not yet begun, meaning commuters can expect phased construction activity and traffic diversions over the coming months.

The Hope Farm underpass is part of a larger Rs 140-crore infrastructure package planned for Bengaluru’s eastern corridor. The package also includes another underpass at Big Bazaar Junction and a flyover at Hoodi. However, officials admit there has been little visible progress on those projects so far, raising concerns over whether the broader traffic plan will move at the same pace.

For thousands of daily commuters in Whitefield, the start of construction itself feels like a breakthrough after years of announcements without action. The project may still bring months of inconvenience, diversions and uncertainty, but many residents say they are simply relieved to finally see work begin on a junction that has symbolised Bengaluru’s infrastructure delays for over a decade.