Long-Awaited Relief for Bengaluru-Mysuru Commuters
Commuters traveling from Bengaluru to Mysuru can finally look forward to some relief from the persistent traffic congestion that has plagued the Deepanjali Nagar Junction to Kengeri stretch. In a significant development for urban mobility, Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) Ltd is preparing to open a 1.5-kilometer link road that will connect Deepanjali Nagar junction directly to the NICE Road cloverleaf near PES College.
Construction Challenges and Current Progress
The construction of this four-lane link road faced substantial delays due to land acquisition hurdles that lasted nearly a year. According to NICE officials, the required land has now been successfully secured, and construction work is advancing rapidly toward completion. The project, which began over a year ago, encountered legal complications related to land acquisition that required court intervention before resolution.
A NICE official confirmed that "construction is in the advanced stages" and emphasized that "the road will be opened to motorists shortly" now that the land disputes have been settled.
Substantial Time Savings for Daily Commuters
The new infrastructure promises to dramatically reduce travel times for thousands of daily commuters. Currently, the 11-kilometer journey from Deepanjali Nagar junction (BHEL Circle) to Challaghatta during peak hours takes between 45 minutes to an hour. This frustrating commute involves navigating through multiple severely congested traffic signals at Nayandahalli, RR Nagar, Jnanabharathi, and Pattenagere.
With the new link road operational, NICE officials project that motorists will be able to reach Challaghatta in approximately 30 minutes by directly accessing the NICE Road, effectively cutting travel time by half during busy periods.
Extended Benefits Beyond Mysuru Route
The advantages of this new connection extend beyond just the Bengaluru-Mysuru corridor. Commuters traveling toward Banashankari and Electronics City via NICE Road will also experience significant improvements. Presently, those heading from Deepanjali Nagar to Banashankari must navigate through the notoriously congested Nayandahalli Junction, recognized as one of the worst traffic bottlenecks on Mysuru Road.
The new link will enable these commuters to completely bypass the Nayandahalli congestion and access the Outer Ring Road (ORR) directly near PES College. However, local residents have raised concerns about shifting traffic patterns. Rupesh Kumar, a Banashankari resident, noted that while the recent opening of the Hosakerehalli flyover provided some relief, new bottlenecks have emerged near Kamakya Theatre.
Kumar highlighted additional challenges, stating that "the service roads along the ORR are in poor condition, and in many places, parked vehicles block traffic movement," urging authorities to address these persistent issues.
One question that remains unanswered is whether NICE will implement toll charges for using the new link road. Given that NICE already operates as the most expensive toll road in the city, this decision will significantly impact commuter adoption and usage patterns.
The new link road represents a crucial piece of infrastructure that addresses long-standing connectivity gaps in Bengaluru's western corridor, offering hope for smoother commutes and improved urban mobility for residents traveling both within the city and toward Mysuru.
