Commuters in Bengaluru are advocating for the restoration of the bus priority lane along the Outer Ring Road (ORR) as metro construction work on the stretch nears completion.
The ‘priority bus lane’ on ORR, stretching 17 km from Central Silk Board to KR Pura, was initially introduced in 2019 at a cost of Rs 14.3 crore. However, the need to make space for metro pillars for the Blue line led to the removal of demarcating bollards in mid-2022.
BS Prahlad, Chief Engineer of Road Infrastructure at BBMP, had assured last year that the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) would reinstall the bollards once construction work was finished. Commuters now assert that the road is ready for the reinstatement of the bus lane.
The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) anticipates that reintroducing the bus lane will reduce travel time from 70 to 50-55 minutes, providing significant time savings for commuters.
A report by Greenpeace India highlights public support for expanding the bus lane system, with 86 per cent of respondents expressing approval. Notably, 28 per cent of existing bus users reported improved travel time since the lane’s implementation, particularly benefiting those with longer commutes.
Commuters stress the importance of collaborative efforts between various departments to ensure the bus lane’s effectiveness and minimize encroachments by other vehicles, emphasizing the positive impact of the lane on travel experiences.
