Peripheral Ring Road Bangalore: Fact guide

Peripheral Ring Road Bangalore: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

The Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) is a significant infrastructure project in Bangalore, designed to enhance connectivity and alleviate traffic congestion. Managed by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), this 73-kilometer circular road aims to form a complete loop around the city, connecting key highways and roads. Despite facing numerous challenges, the project has finally received approval and is set to transform Bangalore’s real estate landscape. Let’s delve into the details of the Peripheral Ring Road Bangalore and its anticipated impact.

Peripheral Ring Road Bangalore: Key Facts

Bangalore Peripheral Ring Road: Project Details

The Peripheral Ring Road will span 73 kilometers, featuring eight lanes and six service lanes. It will cover North and East Bangalore, including Anekal. The road will start at NICE Road Junction on Tumkur Road, pass through Bellary Road and Old Madras Road, and end at National Highway 44 on Hosur Road. Additionally, it will connect to the semicircular NICE Road near BIEC and Konappana Agrahara.

The project requires the acquisition of over 2,400 acres of land and will be executed through a public-private partnership using the Design-Build Finance Operate and Transfer methodology. The road developer will have a concession to collect tolls for 50 years to meet financial goals and recoup expenses.

The completed road will feature 17 toll plazas, two cloverleaf intersections at Old Madras Road and Airport Road, nine entry and exit points, five flyovers, four underpasses, and five Railway Overbridges (ROB).

Bangalore Peripheral Ring Road: The Need for a Third Ring Road

Bangalore currently has two ring roads: the Inner Ring Road connecting Indiranagar to Koramangala and the 60-kilometer-long Outer Ring Road (ORR) connecting various roads converging in Bangalore, including five National and five State Highways. The ORR faces heavy traffic from over 10,000 heavy vehicles and the development of nearby real estate, further exacerbated by the Kempegowda International Airport.

Given the traffic stress on existing roads and the increasing number of vehicles in Bangalore, policymakers have renewed their interest in the Peripheral Ring Road to address these challenges.

Bangalore Peripheral Ring Road: Timeline

• 2005-2006: Project proposed by the government.
• 2006-2010: Landowners approached courts to halt land acquisition.
• 2011: High Court canceled the project due to delays. The government revised the road length to 65 kilometers and sought court permission for land acquisition.
• 2014: Project received environmental clearance.
• 2015: Urban Development Department approved the project.
• Present: Supreme Court approved property acquisition, and the road length increased to 73.5 kilometers to connect to the BMICP Expressway (NICE Road). The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) was approached for funding. The project cost estimate increased from Rs 3 billion to Rs 21 billion, primarily due to land acquisition costs.

Bangalore Peripheral Ring Road: Environmental Impact

The project will result in the cutting down of approximately 33,000 trees, raising concerns among environmentalists. It will also affect six water bodies and forest land in Jarakabandekaval. Officials have planned to replant the trees that will be cut down. However, the final Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report is still awaited as project specifics have been modified.

Bangalore Peripheral Ring Road: Impact on Real Estate

The PRR is expected to positively impact real estate along its length and in adjacent decongested areas. The new Ring Road will intersect Sarajapur Road, Old Madras Road, and Bellary Road, which have seen rapid real estate development. The PRR has the potential to become an economic corridor similar to the ORR, which has experienced significant real estate growth.

The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and private real estate developers are already preparing for new investment destinations. The BDA is developing Arkavathy Layout, D Devaraj Urs Layout, DR K Shivarama Karanth Layout, Kempegowda Layout, KC Reddy Layout, and S Nijalingappa Layout. The Karnataka Housing Board is working on the second phase of the Suryanagar Layout, all located near the proposed PRR.

Lokesh Machappa, proprietor of Dreams Realty, states, “The PRR is anticipated to become a major business and residential center in the future. All locations next to the new route are expected to attract developers’ attention. Existing micro-markets such as Whitefield and Electronic City will also gain attention due to enhanced connectivity.”

The road will also create opportunities for Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Data Centres, Logistic Parks, and IT Centres due to land availability and easy access.

Bangalore Peripheral Ring Road: List of Districts

To construct the PRR, land in around 67 villages across 8 districts must be acquired, including:

• Yeshwanthpur
• Hesaraghatta
• Yelahanka
• KR Puram
• Bidhrahalli
• Varthur
• Sarjapur
• Attibele

Bangalore Peripheral Ring Road: Specific Attributes

According to the project plan, a portion of the median will be reserved for future metro construction. The road will also include a helipad and charging facilities for electric vehicles.

Bangalore Peripheral Ring Road: Existing Conditions

Recent media reports indicate that the BDA has received no bids for the construction of the 74-kilometer Peripheral Ring Road. Bids were solicited in March but had to be canceled due to technical issues. This is the second time tenders have been issued without modifications to the terms and conditions. If tenders are not awarded on time, the project may face further delays.

Farmers’ protests halted construction while courts resolved land acquisition issues. However, the Supreme Court has finally given the green light. BDA invited international bids last year, and an Israeli company, Symba Maz, has shown interest in investing in the project, which now costs Rs 21,250 crore.

The government has established the Bengaluru PRR Development Corporation Ltd as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to execute the project. Formal bids are expected to be solicited soon to select a developer for the road.

With Cabinet approval in place, the project is transitioning from the conceptual stage to the implementation phase. Once completed, the road project will significantly alleviate high-traffic regions and impact Bangalore’s real estate market.

Peripheral Ring Road Bangalore: Benefits

The construction of the Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) in Bangalore offers numerous advantages for the city and its residents:

• Relief from Congestion: The PRR aims to alleviate congestion on the Outer Ring Road, which currently faces heavy traffic from over 10,000 trucks using it as a bypass.
• Improved Connectivity: The PRR will enhance connectivity for commuters traveling on national and state highways, including the Bengaluru International Airport (BIAL).
• Future Traffic Planning: The project is designed to cater to Bangalore’s future traffic needs beyond the Outer Ring Road.
• Elimination of Heat Island Effect: By diverting long-distance traffic moving interstate, the PRR will reduce traffic congestion within Bangalore, mitigating the urban heat island effect.
• Development Opportunities: The PRR will facilitate the development of new urban areas and provide better linkage to internal arterial roads, fostering socioeconomic growth in the region.
• Reduced Travel Time and Pollution: With decreased travel time, pollution levels will be reduced, contributing to a cleaner and greener environment.
• Enhanced Connectivity Between Rural and Urban Areas: The PRR will bridge the gap between rural and urban areas in northern and eastern Bangalore, benefiting villages that currently lack proper road networks and access to the city.
• Improved Road Safety: The project incorporates road safety measures, significantly reducing accidents along the PRR.

Conclusion

The Peripheral Ring Road Bangalore is a transformative project poised to enhance connectivity, alleviate traffic congestion, and spur real estate development. Despite facing numerous challenges, the project is moving forward with government approval and international interest. Once completed, the PRR will significantly impact Bangalore’s infrastructure and real estate landscape, offering numerous benefits to the city’s residents and businesses.