Race Course Road in central Bengaluru has been closed to all vehicle traffic for 60 days from October 5 as stormwater drain and underground sewer works begin, forcing buses, heavy goods vehicles and other motorists to use alternative routes through Windsor Manor, Kumarakrupa Road, Shivananda Circle and the Shivananda flyover.
The traffic change has been announced by the High Grounds traffic police in connection with civil works being carried out on the road. The Greater Bengaluru Authority is already undertaking white-topping work on the stretch between Maurya Junction and Hare Krishna Road Junction. The new stormwater drain and sewer works will now require additional restrictions, according to the police.
Traffic has been prohibited on the Race Course Road stretch from Trilight Junction to Maurya Junction and from Shivananda Junction to Maurya Junction. The restrictions affect a key central-city connection used by public transport, private buses, commercial vehicles and daily commuters travelling towards Majestic and KR Market.
Buses and heavy goods vehicles travelling from Sankey Road towards KR Market have been directed to use the Windsor Manor Bridge towards the LRDE Junction. Vehicles must then take a right turn at the LRDE Junction and continue through Basaveshwara Junction.
BMTC buses, private buses and heavy goods vehicles travelling from Sankey Road towards Majestic have been advised to use Kumarakrupa Road. From there, they must proceed towards Shivananda Circle, take a right turn and turn left onto SC Road before continuing towards their destination.
Vehicles travelling from the old JD(S) office junction towards Trilight Junction have been directed to use the road on the left side at the old JD(S) office junction. They must then proceed towards Trilight Junction, take a left turn at Race View Junction and continue via Kumarakrupa Road towards Shivananda Junction.
Vehicles travelling from Trilight Junction towards Maurya Junction must use the Shivananda flyover. They have been directed to proceed through Nehru Circle, reach SC Road and continue towards Majestic. The traffic police have asked motorists to follow the diversions during the work period.
The restrictions are linked to multiple overlapping road and drainage works on Race Course Road, including the ongoing white-topping project and the newly announced stormwater drain and sewer construction. The supplied traffic advisory does not specify an exact completion date beyond the 60-day restriction period or provide details of expected changes to bus schedules.