Kamaraj Road to fully reopen after six years, easing CBD traffic

Two-way traffic on Kamaraj Road between Cubbon Road and MG Road’s Cauvery Emporium junction is set to resume from early January 2026 after prolonged Metro construction delays.

After more than six years of restrictions, Bengaluru’s central business district is set to witness a major traffic relief with the full reopening of Kamaraj Road. The stretch between Cubbon Road and Cauvery Emporium junction on MG Road is expected to reopen for two-way traffic from the first week of January 2026, significantly improving connectivity in the city core.

The road was taken over by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) in June 2019 for the construction of the underground MG Road station on Namma Metro’s Pink Line. While the stretch was initially expected to be restored by 2023, multiple challenges led to delays. Construction was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, complex tunnelling operations, and several technical hurdles, pushing the timeline further.

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In February 2025, partial relief was provided when one side of Kamaraj Road was opened for vehicular movement, allowing traffic from Cauvery Emporium junction towards Commercial Street. The remaining section continued to be used for station-related construction and movement of heavy equipment.

With civil works now completed, the entire road has been rebuilt with a white-topped surface. Around ₹3 crore has been spent on restoring the stretch. Final finishing works are currently underway, following which traffic police clearance will allow full reopening. Two-way vehicular movement is expected to begin from January 2, 2026.

The reopening is expected to reduce travel time for commuters moving between Commercial Street, Dickenson Road, Cubbon Road, Brigade Road, and MG Road, some of the most congested zones in the CBD.

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The underground MG Road station has been constructed using the cut-and-cover method and will be seamlessly integrated with the existing elevated Purple Line station at MG Road. During the construction phase, more than 80 trees were felled along the corridor. BMRCL is expected to take up beautification of the stretch in coordination with private agencies.

The MG Road underground station is part of the 21km Pink Line corridor and is scheduled to open along with other stations on the line by the end of 2026.