Intro
First fire hydrant network commissioned alongside white-topped roads in Bengaluru Pete on Monday.
CH NEWS
Bengaluru
Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) Minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Monday said Bengaluru Pete has received its first-ever fire hydrant system integrated into newly constructed white-topped roads, enabling firefighters to respond quickly and extinguish fires during emergencies.
Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the newly developed white-topped roads on Tank Bund Road and Rangaswamy Temple Road (R.T. Street) in the Gandhinagar Assembly constituency under the Bengaluru Central City Corporation limits, the Minister said the project was aimed at improving civic infrastructure and public safety.
He said B-SMILE had completed the development of the two major roads by simultaneously laying BWSSB water supply and underground drainage lines, constructing pedestrian-friendly footpaths and creating a comprehensive utility duct network. The integrated approach was intended to prevent repeated road digging in the future.
Krishna Byre Gowda said 196 km of white-topping works had been completed under the first phase across the city. Under the second phase, 60 km of the planned 120 km had already been completed, while the remaining works would be finished by the end of December. A third phase covering 250 km of roads at an estimated cost of ₹3,000 crore would be launched before December, he added.
He acknowledged that road works could cause temporary inconvenience to the public but noted that white-topped roads have a lifespan of over 25 years, significantly reducing long-term maintenance costs. He added that work on roads with heavy traffic could take longer and officials had been instructed to speed up execution.
On public sanitation, the Minister said surveys conducted by civic organisations had classified public toilets into well-maintained, repairable and dilapidated categories. Based on these findings, the government would renovate existing facilities, construct new toilets where required and introduce modern designs across the city.
He clarified that public toilets built on footpaths would be removed only after alternative facilities were provided, as all toilets could not be dismantled simultaneously due to public necessity.
Gandhinagar MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao said Gandhinagar and Majestic were among Bengaluru’s oldest localities and road infrastructure had been upgraded in phases over the years. Similar modern road projects with integrated civic infrastructure would be implemented in other parts of the city, he said.
He noted that the narrow roads in the Pete area often prevented fire engines from entering during emergencies. To address this, the new white-topping projects had incorporated a fire hydrant network to ensure immediate water supply for firefighting. He said the project combined modern technology with infrastructure development to enhance public safety.
Key project details
1. Tank Bund Road (Upparpet Police Station to Shanthala Junction)
- Length: 418 metres
- Cost: ₹8.74 crore
- White-topping: 10.5 metres wide, 180 mm thick
Features:
- 1,000 mm diameter stormwater drain
- Pedestrian-friendly footpaths
- Integrated utility ducts for power and optical fibre cables
A new “eeze” precast public toilet developed by BSWML was also inaugurated. Located in the busy transit hub serving Metro, KSRTC and BMTC commuters, the facility was built entirely using precast technology and incorporates a percolation-based odour control system. It provides separate facilities for men, women, transgender persons and persons with disabilities, along with ramp access.
2. R.T. Street (Srinivasa Mandir Road to Avenue Road)
- Length: 645 metres
- Cost: ₹2.52 crore
- White-topping: 3 metres wide, 150 mm thick
Features:
- Grey and red zig-zag paver buffer zone
- Improved streetscape for the commercial corridor
First fire hydrant network in Bengaluru Pete
The highlight of the R.T. Street project is the installation of a state-of-the-art fire hydrant network, the first of its kind in Bengaluru Pete. The historic locality’s narrow roads have often restricted access for fire engines, resulting in delays during emergencies. The hydrant system has been introduced to ensure immediate water availability and faster emergency response. It is the first time such life-saving infrastructure has been integrated into Bengaluru’s road network.
Both roads have also been equipped with international-standard antique-finish LED streetlights and thermoplastic road markings to improve visibility, road safety and commuter convenience.
Among those present were Special Commissioner Niteesh, Central City Corporation Commissioner Jagadish, Additional Commissioner (Development) Venkatachalapathi, Chief Engineer Vijay Kumar Haridas, Madesh, and other senior officials.
