D K Shivakumar suggests merger of service roads & main carriageway on ORR

Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday suggested merging the service roads and the main carriageway along the Outer Ring Road, where metro construction is ongoing, to ensure smoother traffic flow.

After inspecting the Mahadevapura and Marathahalli junctions, the Bengaluru Development Minister announced plans to remove the concrete dividers separating these lanes so that vehicles can change lanes seamlessly. “I have consulted with MLAs, and there is a consensus to merge approximately 40 to 50 kilometres of road,” he said.

He explained that a significant portion of the road space has been allocated for metro construction, which is currently causing traffic snarls. "This is why we have proposed this solution," he added.

Interestingly, on some stretches of the Outer Ring Road, the traffic police have already restricted vehicle entry from service roads onto the main carriageway to maintain smoother traffic movement.

In many places, traffic along the service roads on ORR moves slowly as they are poorly maintained and frequently see potholes and water-logged patches.

The removal of medians could also harm trees and pedestrian movement.