Authorities halted all traffic to Bengaluru on Saturday after a lateral shift was observed on the Hosur elevated flyover along the Chennai-Bengaluru National Highway (NH 44). The shift, involving a horizontal displacement of the road surface, raised serious safety concerns, leading officials to declare the flyover unfit for use. Located near the Hosur bus stand and operational for over 15 years, the flyover serves as a vital route for inter-state travel. Following the closure, vehicles were diverted to service roads, resulting in significant congestion, while technical teams began assessing the extent of the issue.
According to officials from the National Highways Department (NHD), the structural shift—described as a horizontal displacement of the carriageway—was noticed by local commuters earlier in the day. A team led by Chief Engineer Prasanna inspected the structure and declared the flyover unsafe for traffic. The structure, located near the Hosur bus stand, has been operational for over 15 years and is a key connector for inter-state vehicular flow.
The flyover is used by over 50,000 vehicles every day, including long-distance trucks, interstate buses, and private vehicles travelling between Bengaluru and southern districts of Tamil Nadu. Its sudden closure created significant congestion, with diversions channelling all Bengaluru-bound vehicles through service roads and internal lanes in Hosur.
In the interim traffic arrangement, vehicles coming from Krishnagiri, Salem, and Chennai toward Bengaluru are being rerouted through Dharga Road and the Hosur bus stand, before rejoining the national highway. This temporary redirection, extending nearly two kilometres, has already led to gridlock in and around the Hosur town limits, with tailbacks reported up to three kilometres at peak evening hours.
Officials believe that the volume and weight of container trucks plying the elevated section may have contributed to the shift. “The movement of vehicles has been suspended temporarily. The matter has been reported to higher authorities, and further inspection will be carried out by a team of structural experts,” said Prasanna, Chief Engineer of NHD.
The lateral shift is being treated as a serious structural concern. Though no immediate signs of surface cracking or visible girder stress were reported, the alignment of the deck has deviated from its original position. Such shifts could signal foundation settlement, bearing displacement, or lateral restraint failure.
A technical investigation is scheduled for Sunday, during which a central inspection team comprising structural engineers and bridge experts is expected to examine the flyover’s deck alignment, support piers, and expansion joints. A detailed assessment will be required before any decision is taken to restore traffic.
The flyover is part of the arterial Hosur Road corridor, which links Bengaluru’s Silk Board Junction to Electronic City and further connects to Tamil Nadu’s manufacturing hubs. Since its commissioning, it has served as a critical bypass for through-traffic, reducing pressure on city roads and easing logistics movement between Bengaluru and Chennai.
The current diversion has disrupted not only private and commercial vehicle movement but also intercity bus operations. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation buses, which frequently use the Hosur bypass to maintain schedule integrity, have been delayed significantly due to the congestion.
Local businesses around Hosur bus stand and Dharga Road reported increased traffic spillover and crowding. Law enforcement officials and highway traffic police have been deployed to regulate movement and prevent bottlenecks in the diverted routes.
Engineers did not rule out the possibility of underlying soil movement or weakening of pier supports due to consistent heavy axle loads. A complete structural audit will likely involve checking for signs of settlement, inspecting bearings for misalignment, and verifying pier deflection or column shear displacement.
The Hosur elevated flyover was initially constructed to relieve traffic from the congested Hosur Road, a major interstate link between Bengaluru’s industrial suburbs and Tamil Nadu’s western districts. It was designed to accommodate heavy vehicle flow and offer grade separation for smoother interstate transit. However, given its age and current load factors, structural fatigue may be emerging.
Once the inspection team completes its review, repair strategies may include resetting or replacing displaced bearings, reinforcing support columns, or installing temporary lateral bracing. Officials have indicated that until the flyover is declared structurally sound, it will remain closed to traffic.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is also expected to review the flyover’s long-term performance as part of broader efforts to monitor aging infrastructure along high-density corridors. Any further updates on reopening will be shared following the structural evaluation and administrative approvals.
We are closely monitoring this developing story. Once the detailed investigation report is released, we will provide an in-depth follow-up.
Stay tuned and keep watching this space for further updates.
Image source- msn.com
