Bengaluru, March 7, 2025 – Commuters in Bengaluru are bracing for disruptions as the city traffic police have imposed temporary restrictions on two major roads—Old Airport Road and Varthur Road—due to a high-profile VVIP visit scheduled for Friday. The curbs will be in place from 11:15 AM to 2:30 PM, during which access to these stretches will be restricted for the general public.
The Bengaluru Traffic Police issued the advisory late Thursday, urging residents and daily commuters to plan their travel accordingly and opt for alternative routes to avoid delays. While the police have not officially disclosed the identity of the VVIP, sources indicate that Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to the city may be the reason behind the heightened security measures. Shah is set to arrive in Bengaluru from Tamil Nadu on Friday to inaugurate a hospital, as confirmed by BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra earlier this week.
“Motorists are requested to cooperate with the authorities and use detour routes during the specified hours. We regret the inconvenience caused and are working to ensure smooth coordination,” a senior traffic police official said.
Old Airport Road and Varthur Road, key arteries connecting residential and commercial hubs in east Bengaluru, are notorious for heavy traffic even on regular days. The temporary closure is likely to impact office-goers, students, and airport-bound travelers, especially during the midday rush.
Residents have been advised to stay updated through local traffic alerts, with the police promising to lift the restrictions as soon as the VVIP movement concludes. “It’s a short window, but it’s Bengaluru—expect some chaos,” quipped a local commuter near Varthur.
This isn’t the first time the city has seen such measures. VVIP visits, including those by central ministers and the Prime Minister, often bring Bengaluru’s traffic to a grinding halt, sparking debates over better urban planning and traffic management.
For real-time updates, citizens can follow local news channels or check the Bengaluru Traffic Police’s social media handles. Commuters are urged to stay patient and plan ahead to navigate the day’s disruptions.
