Bengaluru commuters can finally breathe a sigh of relief as the main stretch of Bannerghatta Road, spanning from Dairy Circle Junction to the Indian Christian Cemetery near Hosur Road, is slated for a complete reopening. This much-anticipated event comes after nearly four years of motorists navigating through diversions and detours due to extensive metro construction.
The closure was primarily to facilitate the development of two underground metro stations – Dairy Circle and Lakkasandra – as part of the Namma Metro’s upcoming Pink Line. The prolonged construction work had caused significant traffic congestion, forcing many to rely on narrower service lanes and alternative routes.
According to recent reports, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has begun the process of restoring the road to its full capacity. Traffic has already resumed in both directions on sections above the completed Lakkasandra Metro station, and one-way movement towards Lakkasandra has been permitted over the Dairy Circle station. Officials have confirmed that two-way traffic will soon be allowed, signaling the end of years of restrictions.
While commuters are celebrating the end of long delays, some motorists have expressed concerns about the current condition of the newly reopened road. Additionally, residents have highlighted the scarcity of public transport options during the extended construction period.
Project sources indicate that the delays were partly due to unexpected technical challenges encountered during construction. Notably, a tunnel-boring machine was stalled for several months after hitting debris and waste underground. This required engineers to implement extra concrete reinforcements and led to temporary closures of nearby businesses, including marble shops, for safety reasons.
With the civil works now nearing completion, the full restoration of traffic on Bannerghatta Road is expected to significantly improve commuting for thousands of daily users.