In a significant step towards improving traffic and infrastructure on one of the city’s busiest routes, Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (BSMILE) has initiated the process to upgrade a 22-kilometre stretch of the Outer Ring Road (ORR), covering both the main carriageway and the much-neglected service roads.
The ORR, particularly the stretch between Silk Board and KR Puram, has long been plagued by potholes, poor drainage, traffic snarls, and waterlogging, especially during rains. To address these chronic issues, BSMILE will soon appoint a private consultant to conduct a detailed corridor study and develop engineering solutions focused on long-term infrastructure improvements rather than temporary fixes. The Initiative comes at a time when traffic volume has increased by 20–45% along this key tech corridor, home to numerous IT parks and corporate offices. Weekday commute delays have nearly doubled in recent years, with service roads often rendered unusable due to flooding and neglect.
The proposed overhaul complements other key mobility initiatives underway in the area. Bus Priority Lanes (BPL) are set to return to ORR by the end of 2025 to improve BMTC operations, while metro construction on the Blue Line continues, with partial relief expected by 2026. Urban planners and commuters alike hope this project marks the beginning of tangible improvements. Citizens have long demanded sustained and quality development over patchwork efforts. If implemented effectively, this could be a game-changer for one of Bengaluru’s most critical transport corridors.