Incomplete railway overbridge near Ananthasayanagudi continues to cause massive traffic congestion on the key Hampi-Ballari route
The long-pending railway overbridge project near Ananthasayanagudi village in Hospet taluk of Vijayanagar district has become a major concern for residents and commuters. Despite being sanctioned as a fast-track infrastructure project aimed at easing traffic movement on the busy Hampi route, the bridge remains unfinished more than four years after construction began.
Vijayanagar: A railway overbridge being constructed across the railway track near Ananthasayanagudi village in Hospet taluk has failed to meet multiple completion deadlines, leaving residents frustrated and commuters stranded in frequent traffic bottlenecks. The project, initially expected to be completed within nine months to one year, remains unfinished even after four years of work.
The delay has intensified public anger as the road serves as a crucial connectivity corridor linking the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi with Kampli, Ballari and surrounding regions.
Railway overbridge delay affects Hampi connectivity
The overbridge was conceived as a permanent solution to chronic traffic disruptions caused by the railway crossing at Ananthasayanagudi. The existing railway gate reportedly remains closed for nearly 18 hours a day due to frequent train movements, severely impacting transportation and economic activity in the region.
Motorists, tourists, commercial vehicles and local residents are often forced to wait for extended periods, resulting in long queues and traffic congestion stretching several kilometres.
With Hampi attracting thousands of domestic and international tourists every year, the delayed infrastructure project has become a significant concern for both the tourism and transport sectors.
“The bridge was expected to eliminate delays caused by the railway gate, but even after four years the project remains incomplete,” residents said.
State and Central governments funding railway overbridge project
The railway overbridge is being executed through a joint funding arrangement between the State and Central governments under a 60:40 cost-sharing model.
Authorities had originally projected that the bridge would be completed within a short timeframe, providing uninterrupted movement along one of the most important road networks in the region. However, repeated delays have pushed the project far beyond its intended completion schedule.
The prolonged construction period has raised questions regarding project execution, monitoring and accountability.
Traffic congestion worsens near Ananthasayanagudi railway crossing
Commuters travelling between Hampi, Kampli, Hospet and Ballari continue to face daily inconvenience due to the unfinished bridge.
Whenever the railway gate is closed, traffic quickly accumulates on both sides of the crossing, creating severe bottlenecks and increasing travel time. Emergency vehicles, school buses, tourists and local transport operators are among those most affected.
Residents say the situation has remained unchanged for years despite repeated assurances regarding the bridge's completion.
“Traffic jams extending for several kilometres have become a routine problem. The bridge should be completed immediately,” local residents demanded.
Locals urge speedy completion of Vijayanagar railway overbridge
With the project entering its fifth year, citizens, traders and community leaders have renewed their demand for immediate intervention from the authorities.
They have urged the concerned departments to accelerate construction activities and ensure that the overbridge is opened to the public at the earliest.
Residents believe that the completion of the bridge will significantly improve traffic flow, boost tourism access to Hampi and reduce the hardships currently faced by thousands of daily commuters.
The delay in the Ananthasayanagudi railway overbridge project has become a symbol of stalled infrastructure development in the region, with locals now seeking clear timelines and accountability from the agencies responsible for its execution.
