Bengaluru is poised to enhance pedestrian access along its Outer Ring Road (ORR) Metro corridor with the proposed construction of eight kilometres of elevated walkways connecting metro stations to nearby offices and tech hubs. The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) recently approved the plan, highlighting the growing need for safer last-mile connectivity in one of the city’s busiest employment corridors. While the project has gained official sanction, funding arrangements remain to be finalised before work can commence.
The elevated walkways are designed to run beneath the ORR Metro line, allowing pedestrians to navigate busy roads without interacting with vehicular traffic. Urban planners note that such interventions are crucial in high-density areas where inadequate pedestrian infrastructure contributes to traffic congestion, safety risks, and reduced metro utilisation. By linking stations with major tech and commercial centres, the project is expected to reduce travel friction for thousands of daily commuters while encouraging a more walkable, sustainable urban environment. Construction responsibility will be shared between the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) and the Outer Ring Road Companies Association (ORRCA), representing businesses along the corridor. Officials emphasise that securing funding is a priority before physical work can begin. The elevated walkways are envisioned as part of broader strategies to improve multimodal connectivity, reduce dependence on private vehicles, and support climate-resilient infrastructure in a rapidly growing urban district.
Experts highlight that last-mile connectivity has been a persistent challenge in Bengaluru, where metro stations are often physically distant from workplaces and commercial hubs. Pedestrian-friendly access can significantly increase public transit adoption, reduce vehicular congestion, and lower urban emissions. Elevated walkways also integrate with existing infrastructure, minimising land acquisition and avoiding disruption to traffic below, a critical factor along the heavily trafficked ORR. Beyond commuter convenience, the project carries broader economic implications. Enhanced pedestrian networks improve accessibility for employees, boosting productivity and supporting office real estate demand along the corridor. Urban planners suggest that integrating such walkways with dedicated cycling paths and green spaces could further strengthen sustainable mobility goals and equitable urban development.
With funding mechanisms pending, authorities are expected to finalise public-private partnership arrangements in the coming months. Once operational, the 8-kilometre elevated corridor will provide a model for integrating metro transit with pedestrian-first urban planning in India’s fast-growing cities, offering safer, more efficient, and climate-conscious mobility options for Bengaluru’s workforce.
Bengaluru to Get 8km Elevated ORR Metro Walkways
