The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has announced the relaunch of the Bus Priority Lane (BPL) along the Outer Ring Road (ORR) from KR Puram to Silk Board Junction, starting January 2026. The initiative, which was halted in 2022 due to the construction of the Namma Metro Blue Line, aims to cut down travel time for commuters in the city’s IT corridor.
BMTC Managing Director Ramachandran R confirmed the move during an event, stating that the project will be revived in partnership with the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). The BPL was initially launched in 2019 as a pilot to reduce BMTC travel time by nearly 20 minutes, saving daily passengers valuable commuting hours.
The dedicated 17-km lane, constructed at a cost of ₹14.3 crore, was disrupted when metro construction required road widening and led to the removal of over 25,000 bollards. Officials are now planning to reinstall these bollards in sections where metro work is complete to reinstate exclusive bus movement and ease congestion.
A key concern In the earlier phase was lack of enforcement. Despite penalties, private vehicles often encroached on the bus lanes. Commuter forums have stressed the need for improved policing and wider rollout across the city. Transport activist Vinay Sreenivas emphasized that buses, carrying over 42 lakh people daily, deserve more space and priority in urban mobility planning. He urged the government to involve drivers, conductors, and commuter groups to ensure inclusive and effective implementation.