Bengaluru to tackle crumbling roads and traffic woes
Bengaluru is set to undergo a significant infrastructure upgrade aimed at addressing chronic traffic congestion and deteriorating roads across the city. The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has identified 100 critical roads requiring urgent attention, focusing on aspects such as road durability, drainage, lighting, pedestrian safety, and overall cleanliness.
Citizen inputs, combined with data on pothole density, will guide the selection of roads for repair and maintenance. Civic authorities are now required to seek unified approvals for road works to prevent fragmented and uncoordinated repairs. Weekly reviews and accountability measures for chief engineers are being introduced to ensure timely progress.
Although authorities had initially aimed to achieve a pothole-free city by October 31, heavy rainfall has delayed the target. Temporary asphalting is ongoing, and so far, over 10,000 potholes have been filled. Citizens are being urged to actively report issues to assist authorities in expediting repairs.
Bengaluru Business Corridor set to reduce congestion
In addition to repairing existing roads, the state government has revived the 117 km Bengaluru Business Corridor project, earlier known as the Peripheral Ring Road. The corridor is expected to reduce traffic congestion by around 40% while stimulating economic growth.
The project, with an estimated cost of ₹27,000 crore, is planned to be completed in two years. It will include integration with the Metro system and enhanced compensation for landowners, reflecting a broader vision of a smarter, more connected Bengaluru.
To fund the project, the government plans to impose a betterment tax and a 1% stamp duty cess on properties located within a 1,000-metre radius of the corridor. Properties within 500 metres of the corridor will attract higher levies. Revenue will also be generated through tolls, expected to bring in ₹7,000 crore, and a transit-oriented development model, with commercial and residential developments planned on 50–100 acre parcels near key intersections.
The first phase of the project, spanning 73 km from Tumakuru Road to Electronics City, will involve the acquisition of 2,600 acres of land. Authorities are prioritising fair compensation and rapid land acquisition, aiming to complete this within four months before road construction tenders begin.
Road repairs and corridor project part of broader infrastructure push
These initiatives are part of a wider effort by Bengaluru authorities to improve infrastructure, enhance mobility, and tackle the city’s long-standing traffic and road maintenance challenges.