After nearly four years of closures, diversions, and endless traffic snarls, one of Bengaluru’s most crucial arterial roads—Bannerghatta Road—is finally set to reopen in its entirety. The move brings long-awaited relief to thousands of daily commuters who have endured years of detours and congestion due to the ongoing construction of the Namma Metro’s Pink Line corridor.

The section between Dairy Circle Junction and the Indian Christian Cemetery near Hosur Road had been a construction zone since late 2021, when the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) began work on two underground metro stations—Dairy Circle and Lakkasandra. The stretch forms part of the southern extension of the Pink Line, one of the key corridors of Bengaluru’s expanding metro network aimed at improving connectivity between the city’s core areas and its fast-growing southern neighborhoods.

However, what was initially projected as a two-year project turned into a four-year ordeal. The construction brought severe inconvenience to motorists, pedestrians, and local businesses. Long diversions, one-way traffic systems, and poorly maintained service lanes became the norm. Commuters had to weave through narrow lanes, and the area became notorious for traffic bottlenecks, particularly during rush hours.

Now, as the tunnelling and station construction near completion, BMRCL has begun the long-overdue process of restoring the road to full operation. A recent report by The Times of India stated that traffic in both directions has already resumed above the Lakkasandra Metro station, and one-way movement toward Lakkasandra has been allowed over the Dairy Circle station since Wednesday. Officials have confirmed that two-way traffic will soon be permitted, marking the end of years of restrictions that had turned the once-bustling route into a construction nightmare.

The Impact of Four Years of Metro Work

Bannerghatta Road is one of Bengaluru’s busiest corridors, connecting central and southern parts of the city, including major commercial and residential hubs such as Jayanagar, Dairy Circle, BTM Layout, and Bannerghatta. The road also provides access to key institutions and hospitals, making it a lifeline for thousands of residents.

During the metro construction, the partial closures forced vehicles to use alternative routes through Tavarekere, Wilson Garden, and Siddapura, causing massive congestion in surrounding neighborhoods. Public transport, including BMTC buses, was rerouted, increasing travel times significantly. Many commuters reported spending up to an hour longer than usual on what was once a 20-minute drive.

Local businesses along the corridor were among the hardest hit. Shops, restaurants, and small service providers experienced a sharp decline in foot traffic due to the constant dust, noise, and lack of parking space. Several establishments were forced to shut down temporarily, while others moved to different parts of the city. Residents complained about the lack of pedestrian pathways and inadequate street lighting, making the area unsafe for walking, especially at night.

Technical Challenges Behind the Delays

BMRCL officials and project engineers have attributed the prolonged timeline to unexpected technical challengesencountered during underground tunnelling. According to project sources, one of the major setbacks occurred when a tunnel-boring machine (TBM) got stuck beneath the surface after hitting debris and waste materials. The problem persisted for several months as engineers struggled to remove the obstacles and stabilize the structure.

The team eventually had to install extra layers of concrete reinforcement to secure the tunnel walls before resuming work. These additional safety measures caused further delays but were necessary to prevent potential cave-ins or damage to surrounding buildings. At one point, several nearby marble shops and small structures had to be closed temporarily to ensure safety during excavation and stabilization work.

BMRCL also faced issues related to Bengaluru’s underground water channels and old utility lines. Engineers had to carefully navigate around existing pipelines and electrical cables without disrupting essential services. The city’s unpredictable monsoon weather added to the difficulties, often flooding construction sites and halting operations for days.

Mixed Reactions from the Public

While the reopening of Bannerghatta Road is being celebrated by commuters, reactions are mixed. Many motorists expressed relief but also criticized the poor condition of the newly restored road surface, which they say is uneven and patchy. Several sections are reportedly riddled with potholes and loose gravel, raising concerns about the durability of the repairs.

Commuters have urged authorities to carry out comprehensive resurfacing work and ensure proper drainage before the road is opened fully for two-way traffic. The local traffic police, too, have called for better signage and lane markings to prevent confusion among motorists once normal flow resumes.

Residents have also raised concerns about the lack of adequate public transport options during the metro construction period. BMTC services along the route had been limited or diverted for much of the past four years, forcing many commuters to rely on personal vehicles or ride-hailing services. This not only increased traffic congestion but also led to higher travel costs for daily commuters.

The Broader Context: Namma Metro’s Expansion

The Dairy Circle and Lakkasandra stations are key components of the Namma Metro’s Pink Line, which will connect Kalena Agrahara in the south to Nagawara in the north through the city’s central areas. Once operational, the corridor is expected to significantly reduce travel time across the city and ease pressure on major roads like Hosur Road and Bannerghatta Road.

The Pink Line includes multiple underground stretches, making it one of the most technically complex phases of the Bengaluru Metro project. The BMRCL has emphasized that despite delays, the project is progressing steadily, with tunnelling work nearing completion and station infrastructure in the final stages.

Officials expect that by reopening the full stretch of Bannerghatta Road, vehicular movement will improve, providing temporary relief until the metro line becomes operational. Once the Pink Line opens, it is expected to serve thousands of commuters daily, offering a faster, cleaner, and more reliable alternative to road travel.

A Step Toward Normalcy

For now, the restoration of Bannerghatta Road represents a return to normalcy for Bengaluru’s long-suffering commuters. The reopening will not only decongest one of the city’s major traffic arteries but also revive commercial activity along the corridor. Businesses that had been struggling during the construction phase are hopeful that customer footfall will return as accessibility improves.

Authorities are planning a final inspection of the road before officially opening it to two-way traffic. Once complete, BMRCL and the city’s traffic police are expected to monitor movement along the stretch closely to ensure smooth flow and address any emerging issues promptly.

For Bengaluru, where infrastructure projects often stretch far beyond their deadlines, the reopening of Bannerghatta Road is a significant milestone. It marks the culmination of years of difficult engineering work and the beginning of smoother commutes for thousands of residents. While challenges remain—particularly regarding road quality and long-term traffic management—the move offers a glimpse of the benefits that the Namma Metro expansion promises to bring to India’s tech capital.

With civil works nearly finished and traffic restoration underway, the end of the four-year Bannerghatta Road ordeal is finally in sight, signaling a much-needed reprieve for the city’s weary commuters and a step forward in Bengaluru’s ongoing journey toward better urban mobility.