New NICE road connector cuts travel time by 20 minutes for West Bengaluru commuters. Bengaluru-News News

Bengaluru commuters traveling on Mysore Road may soon get long-awaited relief from one of the most frustrating traffic jam points in the city. A new 1.5 km long road connecting Deepanjali Nagar on Mysore Road to Hosakarehalli section of NICE Road is set to open soon, promising to significantly reduce travel time for motorists heading towards Kengeri and beyond.

The road, built by Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises Limited, is expected to ease congestion at the notorious Nayandahalli junction, where vehicles often crawl for long distances during rush hour. Once operational, the new link will allow vehicles to directly reach NICE Road near PES College without navigating the congested Nayandahalli Ring Road stretch.

For commuters, this could mean saving between 15 and 20 minutes on a daily journey.

The long pending link is finally about to be completed

The four-lane road connecting Deepanjali Nagar Junction near BHEL on Mysore Road with NICE Road was originally planned several years ago. However, the project remained incomplete due to land acquisition issues and disputes, due to which the construction work was halted midway. After years of delay, the work has now reached its final stage, giving hope to thousands of daily commuters.

According to officials, most of the stretch from Deepanjali Nagar to NICE Road tollgate has already been completed. Final work is underway near Bhagwan Jain Hospital, where progress has been slow due to rocky terrain.

The rock is currently being broken for smooth road construction, while asphalting work and a retaining wall near the hospital are being completed at a rapid pace. Once these last hurdles are cleared, the road is expected to be opened for public use.

What changes for passengers on Mysore Road?

At present, motorists heading towards NICE Road from Mysore Road have no option but to pass through Nayandahalli Ring Road and Hosakerehalli, which is notorious for traffic bottlenecks. During peak hours, the crowd often spills over at Nayandahalli and Veerabhadranagar signals, testing the patience of commuters.

The new road provides a direct alternative. Vehicles coming from areas like Vijayanagar, Bapuji Nagar, Byatarayanpura, Majestic and KR Market will be able to reach NICE Road Tollgate in just two to three minutes after turning at Deepanjali Nagar Junction. This direct access is expected to reduce congestion on the existing route and smooth traffic flow in the surrounding areas.

The road will also benefit motorists heading towards Electronic City, Bannerghatta Road, Kengeri, Challaghatta and Mysore Expressway, making long distance journeys faster and less stressful.

Inauguration possible within a month

NICE officials have indicated that the road could be inaugurated within the next month if final construction work progresses as planned. Once opened, passengers are expected to reach Challaghatta in approximately 30 minutes, a significant improvement compared to the current travel time.

The new link is also expected to reduce pressure on parallel routes and provide an additional option for motorists wishing to avoid inner-city congestion.

Local concerns remain

While the project has been largely welcomed, local residents have raised concerns about a large traffic circle being constructed near Deepanjali Nagar Junction. According to residents, the circle has reduced the effective width of the connecting roads, raising fears that the queue of heavy vehicles heading towards NICE Road could create fresh congestion at the junction.

Residents have urged the authorities to closely monitor the traffic movement after the road opens and make necessary adjustments if any obstruction occurs.

Travelers welcome this move

For locals who use the route daily, the new road is seen as a much-needed upgrade.

Prabhakar, a resident of the area, said earlier commuters had to take a long detour via Nayandahalli or Veerabhadranagar to reach the NICE Road tollgate. “Now, with NICE Road starting from Deepanjali Nagar Junction, we can reach within minutes without the hassle of traffic,” he said.

Another resident, Karthik, also expressed similar sentiments, saying that the direct connection would save time and provide partial relief from the congestion that has been plaguing the area for years.

If executed and managed well, the new Deepanjali Nagar-NICE Road link could become one of the quiet but meaningful traffic improvements of Bengaluru, especially for West Bengaluru commuters, who have been waiting for a smooth exit from Mysore Road for a long time.