BDA Overhauls PRR-1 for Future-Ready Connectivity

The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has unveiled a comprehensive redesign of the Peripheral Ring Road (PRR-1), a critical infrastructure project aimed at enhancing connectivity around Bengaluru. The original 100-meter-wide corridor has been narrowed to 65 meters to accommodate future metro or elevated rail corridors and service roads on either side. This strategic modification ensures that the PRR-1 aligns with the city’s evolving transportation needs.

Project Scope and Funding

Spanning 73 kilometers, the PRR-1 is projected to cost ₹22,600 crore. Of this, ₹15,600 crore is allocated for land acquisition, and ₹7,000 crore for construction. The project is funded through a loan from the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO), with the state government providing a guarantee and sharing the interest burden. Additionally, the cabinet has approved a 50% waiver on stamp duty for the mortgage process, facilitating smoother financial transactions.

Design Features and Infrastructure Enhancements

The redesigned PRR-1 will feature a 6-lane carriageway within a 28-meter width, complemented by 4-meter-wide shoulders on either side. Pedestrian pathways and service roads will be developed to ensure easy connectivity for villages affected by land acquisition. Future metro or elevated rail systems will have a dedicated 5-meter-wide corridor along the road margins. The remaining 35 meters of the original 100-meter corridor will be utilized for commercial development, including plots for business and mixed-use zones.

Key junctions along the PRR-1, such as Madanayakanahalli, Hesaraghatta Road, Doddaballapur Road, Hennur, and Channasandra, will feature cloverleaf interchanges. A flyover-cloverleaf combination is planned at Chokkanahalli to facilitate smooth traffic flow and reduce congestion.

Land Acquisition and Compensation Options

Farmers whose land is acquired for the PRR-1 project will be offered four compensation options:

  • Cash Payment: For those losing up to 20 guntas of land.
  • Transferable Development Rights (TDR): Allowing landowners to develop properties elsewhere.
  • Floor Area Ratio (FAR) Benefits: Enabling increased construction potential on retained land.
  • Developed Residential/Commercial Sites: Providing alternative plots for relocation.

The BDA plans to mortgage the acquired land to financial institutions as security for the project loan. The state government will provide a guarantee and share the interest burden. A 50% waiver on stamp duty for the mortgage process has been approved to facilitate this arrangement.