In response to escalating traffic congestion along the Outer Ring Road (ORR) in Bengaluru, authorities are contemplating the reintroduction of bus priority lanes with a focus on enhancing public transport. This proposal emerged from a high-level meeting led by Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh, where various civic and transport agencies discussed potential long-term solutions. One key suggestion is to convert existing bus lanes into High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, allowing vehicles with more than three occupants to use these dedicated lanes alongside BMTC buses. This move aims to promote carpooling and reduce the number of private vehicles on the road.

Historically, dedicated bus lanes on the ORR had successfully reduced travel time for BMTC buses by nearly 15 minutes and increased ridership by 4% before the pandemic. The ongoing redevelopment of the ORR corridor, budgeted at ₹400 crore (approximately $48 million USD), will incorporate these bus priority lanes as part of broader infrastructure improvements. Authorities are also exploring the implementation of a congestion tax for private vehicles as part of future traffic management strategies. The meeting also provided a platform for IT companies to voice their traffic-related concerns, indicating a collaborative approach towards addressing the city's traffic challenges.