Commuters on Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road (ORR) are set to experience some relief next week as Panathur Road is scheduled to reopen on Friday, according to the Outer Ring Road Companies Association. The reopening is anticipated to significantly ease congestion on the Varthur–Marathahalli stretch, which has been heavily impacted due to prolonged closure for construction work.
Impact of the Closure
Panathur Road had been closed for several days because of ongoing construction activities. The closure forced vehicles to take alternate routes, resulting in heavy traffic on the Varthur–Marathahalli Road and Vibgyor Road, key stretches that connect residential and IT hubs in the city. Commuters reported long delays during peak hours, particularly affecting professionals traveling to the Whitefield and Marathahalli IT corridors.
The reopening is expected to relieve these bottlenecks and restore smoother traffic flow on one of the city’s most critical transit corridors.
Recent Traffic Advisory
The Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) had issued advisories related to road closures along the ORR service road due to BMRCL metro station construction. The affected stretch runs from 9th Main Road Junction to 5th Main Road Junction and is scheduled to remain closed for 45 days starting October 6.
Motorists traveling from Ibblur towards Silk Board Junction were advised to use alternative routes to avoid congestion. The suggested detours included:
- Traveling via the 14th Main Road flyover and continuing along the main road to reach 5th Main Road Junction.
- Using internal roads within HSR Layout to proceed towards Silk Board and Hosur Main Road.
Authorities urged commuters to plan their journeys carefully and adhere to the suggested detours until the reopening of Panathur Road.
Importance of Panathur Road
The ORR serves as a vital corridor connecting the IT hubs of Whitefield, Marathahalli, and the wider Outer Ring Roadregion. Its smooth functioning is crucial for daily commuters, particularly IT professionals, logistics operators, and residents of adjoining neighborhoods.
The reopening of Panathur Road is expected to:
- Reduce travel time along the Varthur–Marathahalli stretch.
- Ease peak-hour congestion along the ORR.
- Improve connectivity between residential areas and commercial hubs, including tech parks and office complexes.
Traffic authorities anticipate that the combination of Panathur Road reopening and adherence to alternate route advisories will significantly improve vehicular movement in the area, reducing frustration among daily commuters.
Commuter Advisory
Authorities have recommended that:
- Commuters continue using alternative routes until the official reopening.
- Drivers follow traffic police instructions and avoid taking shortcuts through residential lanes, which can worsen congestion.
- Peak-hour commuters plan their travel to avoid delays.
The ORR Companies Association and BTP officials emphasized the importance of maintaining patience and adherence to traffic guidelines, as construction work in Bengaluru continues to impact several arterial roads.
The reopening of Panathur Road is a key development in managing Bengaluru’s traffic, especially in the rapidly growing IT corridor areas. Authorities are hopeful that this move, along with ongoing monitoring and traffic management measures, will restore smoother traffic flow on this crucial stretch.
Leave a Reply