In the latest development, BMTC is all set to launch the much-anticipated Bus Priority Lane (BPL) in Bengaluru from January 2026. This dedicated lane between KR Puram and Silk Board Junction along the Outer Ring Road (ORR) was paused in 2022 due to Blue Line Metro construction.
Bengaluru’s BMTC To Relaunch BPL Along The Outer Ring Road
As per The Indian Express, Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) Managing Director Ramachandran R has now confirmed that the BPL between KR Puram and Silk Board Junction will be relaunched in January 2026. The announcement, made on Thursday, brought relief to many, especially those commuting along the ORR stretch, which has many IT companies. This dedicated priority lane is expected to cut down travel time significantly. A user on X, @JsivaUrbantranz, also shared the news by saying, “Bengaluru gets it right.”
Reportedly, the system was halted in 2022 due to ongoing metro work for the Blue Line. Plus, Ramachandran R also shared that these priority lanes were first introduced 5 years ago, but had to be paused because of construction. Now, BMTC plans to revive the initiative for buses once again.
Also Read: Bengaluru: BMTC To Launch Non-AC Express Bus Services On Long Routes; Will Have Fewer Stops
The Project Was Announced In 2019
BMTC initially launched the BPL as a pilot project in 2019. It aimed to reduce traffic congestion and improve public transport efficiency in the city. At the time, the goal was to cut BMTC bus travel time from 70 minutes to around 50-55 minutes. The Indian Express reports that authorities built the 17 km priority lane at a cost of ₹14.3 crores. However, the Blue Line Metro construction on ORR required 9 metres of road space for pillars. This led to the removal of 25,000 fibre-reinforced bollards and significantly narrowed the roads.
Furthermore, BMTC is also in talks with the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). They aim to redesign the BPL along ORR in line with the city’s changing and evolving landscape.
BMTC expects the re-launch of these lanes to cut bus travel time by nearly 20 minutes. It will make the daily commute along the Outer Ring Road quicker and far smoother for hundreds of commuters.
Cover Image Courtesy: Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation, Wikipedia/ FriendsofBMTC
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