Bengaluru traffic woes to be addressed with new infra projects

The Karnataka government has announced multiple infrastructure projects, including tunnel roads, double-decker flyovers, buffer roads, and elevated corridors, to ease Bengaluru’s traffic congestion, said Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Responding to MLC Sudham Das in the legislative council, Shivakumar admitted Bengaluru was not a planned city like Delhi, with only areas like Malleswaram, Jayanagar, and Indiranagar being systematically developed. While earlier road projects helped manage congestion, additional solutions are needed. A Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) was proposed in 2006 but never took off. Now, with a ₹26,000 crore HUDCO loan, the government plans to acquire land from farmers and develop the Bengaluru Business Corridor. Additionally, a 40 km tunnel road—17 km east-west and 23 km north-south—is being planned, with tenders to be called soon. A 44.3 km double-decker flyover along metro corridors will be built at ₹9,000 crore, jointly funded by BBMP and BMRCL. Other projects include a 300 km buffer road along stormwater drains (₹3,000 crore), a 7.8 km Hebbal-Hennur road, and various road expansions. Furthermore, 1,682 km of roads will undergo white-topping (₹9,000 crore), and 850 km of stormwater drains are being developed using a ₹2,000 crore World Bank grant. With these projects, the government aims to resolve Bengaluru’s traffic challenges. Shivakumar emphasized that these projects are part of a long-term strategy to transform Bengaluru’s infrastructure and ensure smoother traffic flow. He assured that land acquisition and project execution would be expedited to prevent delays.