Bengaluru: The Outer Ring Road (ORR), especially the Silk Board to KR Pura stretch, has long been a pain point for commuters, particularly employees working in IT companies and multinational corporations along the busy tech corridor. Daily bottlenecks, poor road conditions, and unfinished infrastructure projects have turned the route into a nightmare, demanding a comprehensive improvement plan.

Sub-arterial roads in disrepair

Behind the ORR lies a vast belt of residential layouts housing thousands of IT employees. These neighbourhoods, from HSR Layout and Bellandur to Doddanekundi and Mahadevapura, are connected through narrow, crater-filled sub-arterial roads.

One notorious example is the Panathur-Balagere Road, just 2 km from Kadubeesanahalli. Its broken surface forces commuters to abandon two-wheelers, often opting for cars despite worsening congestion.

Pavitra Holla, a commuter from Gunjur, said:
“These roads are the easiest way to access ORR, but they are unmotorable. Two-wheelers leave us drenched in slush, while cars at least allow us to attend meetings despite delays.”

Residents also believe that introducing BMTC buses on these roads, particularly once the Metro is operational, could be a game-changer in easing dependency on personal vehicles.

Metro’s Blue Line delays

The Namma Metro Blue Line, expected to ease ORR’s traffic woes, remains incomplete. The ₹15,131-crore, 58 km project was originally slated for December 2024 but is now delayed by at least three years.

Revised schedules suggest phased openings:

  • Silk Board to KR Pura – September 2026

  • Hebbal to Airport – mid-2027

  • Final leg – end of 2027

    • Until then, ORR commuters have little respite from the daily traffic chaos.

    Lack of proper bus bays

    Another major contributor to ORR’s congestion is the absence of proper bus bays. At choke points like Silk Board, Marathahalli Kalamandir, KR Pura, and Tin Factory, buses halt directly on the main carriageway.

    Akash Math, a daily commuter, explained:
    “Intercity and tourist buses block more than two lanes while stopping, reducing traffic efficiency. Combined with narrow diversion sections near IT parks, congestion becomes unmanageable.”

    Ironically, ORR once had a dedicated bus lane pilot project that eased congestion, but it was scrapped to accommodate Metro construction.

    Service roads riddled with potholes

    The service roads running parallel to ORR are no better. The stretch between Marathahalli and Multiplex, asphalted just six months ago, has already developed potholes and craters.

    Officials from the Greater Bengaluru Authority (formerly BBMP) admitted that rains hinder roadwork, but residents remain unconvinced about the quality of repairs. Poor service road conditions not only slow traffic but also pose a risk to two-wheeler riders.

    Unsafe pedestrian infrastructure

    For pedestrians, ORR is equally hostile. Many stretches lack proper footpaths, while others are encroached upon by two-wheelers. Broken pavements force people onto dangerous carriageways.

    At Iblur Junction, absence of a skywalk forces pedestrians to cross multiple lanes of fast-moving traffic. KG Mohan, a pedestrian, lamented:
    “Pedestrians are given the least priority. In cities abroad, people walk safely to shops or offices, but here it’s life-threatening.”

    Conclusion

    The ORR is the beating heart of Bengaluru’s IT hub, but its current state reflects chronic neglect. Until sub-arterial and service roads are repaired, proper bus bays are built, Metro’s Blue Line is completed, and pedestrian safety is prioritised, commuters will continue to endure punishing daily journeys. A comprehensive, multi-agency action plan is the only way to transform ORR into a corridor that matches the global reputation of Bengaluru’s tech ecosystem.