Bengaluru's Kamaraj Road to reopen in January 2026 after six years, easing traffic: Report

Motorists in Bengaluru can finally breathe easy as Kamaraj Road is scheduled to reopen for two-way traffic in January 2026, ending years of congestion.

Published on: Dec 21, 2025, 10:35:57 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Motorists in Bengaluru’s central business district are set to get a long-awaited relief, with Kamaraj Road, the busy link between Cubbon Road and the Cauvery Emporium junction on MG Road, reportedly being scheduled to completely reopen for two-way traffic in the first week of January 2026.

The stretch had been barricaded since June 2019 after the BMRCL took possession of the road to construct the underground inter-change station at MG Road between the Namma Metro’s existing Purple Line (elevated) and upcoming Pink Line. (Archive/Representative image)

The move is expected to ease chronic congestion in one of the city’s most crowded commercial zones.

The stretch had been barricaded since June 2019 after Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) took possession of the road to construct the underground inter-change station at MG Road between the Namma Metro’s existing Purple Line (elevated) and upcoming Pink Line, said a report by The Times of India.

Although the agency had initially promised to restore the road by 2023, the timeline slipped due to disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, complex tunnelling operations and other technical hurdles.

ALSO READ | Cold wave grips Bengaluru: Drop in minimum temperatures, fog disrupts commute

In February 2025, traffic was partially restored when BMRCL opened one carriageway, allowing vehicles to move from the Cauvery Emporium side towards Commercial Street, while construction activities continued on the remaining portion.

According to BMRCL, all civil work on the stretch has now been completed and the road has been re-laid with a durable white-topped surface, said the report.

Chief public relations officer BL Yeshwanth Chavan said only finishing work remains and the road will be thrown open once the traffic police give the final clearance. Officials said the reconstruction cost was about ₹3 crore.

Traffic police officials indicated that two-way movement is likely to begin from January 2. Once reopened, the road is expected to significantly cut travel time for commuters moving between Commercial Street, Dickenson Road and Cubbon Road towards Brigade Road and MG Road, the report noted.

ALSO READ | Bengaluru: CCTV captures five-yr-old being brutally kicked by neighbour while playing badminton, case registered

The construction of the underground MG Road station, which will connect seamlessly with the existing elevated Purple Line station, involved the removal of over 80 trees. BMRCL has said it plans to beautify the corridor in partnership with private agencies, the report further stated. The station is expected to open along with the rest of the 21-km Pink Line by the end of 2026.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest City News, local updates, weather alerts and breaking stories from Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and other major cities across India on Hindustan Times.