BBMP plans roads along drain buffers

To ease growing traffic congestion and make better use of underutilized land, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has launched a major infrastructure push under the ‘Sanchara Yukta’ programme. The plan includes constructing 300 kilometers of roads across the city, primarily along stormwater drain buffer zones.

Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao recently visited the RR Nagar zone, where he directed officials to begin work near Hosakerehalli Kodi Road. He emphasized the use of Transferable Development Rights (TDR) to acquire necessary land—allowing property owners to surrender land for public infrastructure in exchange for development rights elsewhere. The initiative, aimed at improving mobility and resilience, is particularly relevant during the monsoon season, when stormwater drains play a crucial role in flood mitigation. By utilizing buffer areas along these drains, officials believe the city can expand its road network without major displacement or land acquisition hurdles.

BS Prahallad, Technical Director of Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Limited (B-SMILE), noted that RR Nagar alone will benefit from approximately 70 kilometers of new roads under this project. He added that building roads along such corridors will improve connectivity between key areas and help reduce urban gridlock. The BBMP aims to transform these buffer zones Into functional roadways that can support increased vehicular movement, particularly in rapidly growing localities. The initiative is expected to bring long-term benefits to Bengaluru’s traffic management while enhancing flood resilience and infrastructure efficiency.