
Inner Ring Road street project revamps one of Bengaluru's busiest corridors with data-led, citizen-driven mobility improvements
The report, released by chief civic commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao, documents a series of critical changes aimed at easing traffic, enhancing pedestrian safety, improving bus services, and reclaiming public spaces along the congested corridor that connects neighbourhoods like Domlur, Ejipura, Koramangala, and Indiranagar.
'This initiative is much appreciated as it involved all key stakeholders. Walkability is the future of mobility in cities. BBMP is committed to supporting more such efforts across Bengaluru,' Mr. Rao said.
According to the report, prior to intervention, the IRR corridor was plagued with congestion, missing footpaths, unlit stretches, poorly maintained stormwater drains, and inadequate bus frequency. A traffic analysis by B.PAC showed peak-hour gridlocks extending up to 2.6 km, with over 24 congestion alerts daily. The road also suffered from five fatal crashes in 2023.
'Between June 2023 and July 2025, B.PAC's B. MOBILE team coordinated with BBMP, BMTC, Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP), and BSWML. Their methodology involved on-ground audits, data collection, and impact-based implementation. This report is not just about fixing one street it's a replicable model for urban mobility reform,' said Revathy Ashok, B.PAC's Honorary CEO and Managing Trustee.
The report states that the key transformations on the corridor include bus service enhancements where the BMTC's MF-5 fleet, running from SMVT to Silk Board, was ramped up from 17 to 26 buses, with daily trips rising from 169 to 227. In another initiative the road safety and crash blackspot fixes, six previously fatal junctions, including the TVS Showroom and Hero Honda Bus Stop, were transformed with raised pedestrian crossings, rumble strips, hazard boards, and warning signage. As a result, the number of fatalities dropped to zero between November 2024 and January 2025.
Further under the initiative over 4,300 tonnes of construction debris, 130 barricades, and 129 tonnes of garbage were cleared from the footpaths and medians. BBMP electrified or added 45 new streetlights, reducing dark zones that had previously made walking at night dangerous, especially for women and children. Flood-prone areas like Sony World Junction and Domlur saw the construction of shoulder drains with kerb inlets recommended every 5 to 7 m. While several inlets remained clogged, BBMP was pushed to improve maintenance practices and install visible warning signage at open drains, the report states.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Smoother roads ahead? Stone matrix asphalt to be used for revamp works across Bengaluru's busy corridors
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has been using stone matrix asphalt (SMA) to fix 87 km out of 145 km of identified high-density corridors in the city, according to civic body officials. Lokesh M., Chief Engineer (Road Infrastructure), BBMP, stated that makeover works are currently under way on Magadi Road, Mysuru Road, Old Madras Road, HAL Airport Road, and Kanakapura Road. 'We have taken up addressing undulation and pothole issues along these stretches as part of the revamp works. In places where there is necessity for milling and level matching, we are taking up that too,' Mr. Lokesh said, adding that SMA is being used for all these works. Some high-density corridor stretches have been white-topped, and work is yet to commence on others. Milling refers to the removal of portions of existing asphalt for reworking, while level matching involves the even re-laying of asphalt. Mr. Lokesh explained that BBMP has traditionally used micro-asphalting to repair road damage and maintain road quality, but this method has proven ineffective, especially on high-density corridors. Hence, the civic body has now turned to SMA, which, while more expensive, is considered far more effective in addressing pothole issues. 'SMA mix contains more proteins and fibres, such as cellulose and mineral fibres, which increase the strength of the mixture. There is a much lower chance of the asphalt developing cracks,' said Mr. Lokesh. He further explained that two major reasons for Bengaluru's pothole-ridden roads are flooding and frequent road digging for development work. High-density corridors also face the added disadvantage of heavy vehicular movement. SMA essentially prevents water from seeping into the asphalt due to its lower tendency to crack and its fibrous composition, according to Mr. Lokesh. This characteristic contributes to the durability of the surface by enhancing its structural integrity. However, it costs higher than regular asphalt. 'Usually, the design period (estimated lifespan) of SMA is five to six years, but there are examples of it lasting much longer. For instance, K.G. Road in central Bengaluru was asphalted nine years ago and has remained undamaged since,' he told The Hindu. M.N. Sreehari, a traffic and infrastructure expert, also reiterated the effectiveness of the SMA. 'Earlier, BBMP used to use a substandard mix for asphalting whose bonding quality would be poor, leading to frequent damage to the roads. In contrast, SMA will have a longer life span, though costly, due to its sustaining power against water and, to some extent, heat as well,' he told The Hindu, adding that BBMP should ensure quality controls. While BBMP first used SMA in 2016 on KG Road, only a few roads were subsequently asphalted using this technique. Mr. Lokesh, who initially piloted SMA in Bengaluru, at the helm as Chief Engineer of Road Infrastructure, he plans to implement the technique more extensively. He intends to extend its application to radial roads.


Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru's BBMP introduces 75 clearance centres at zonal offices for Ganesha festival organisers: Report
In preparation for the upcoming Gauri-Ganesha festival, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is introducing a streamlined permission process to assist festival organisers and ensure smooth celebrations across the city. BBMP Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao announced that all 75 zonal BBMP offices will serve as single-point clearance centres for festival-related approvals. Multi-departmental committees will address festival needs while ensuring public safety during the festivities in Bengaluru.(AFP) ALSO READ | Bengaluru resident questions city's liveability after 9 years: 'We're all just surviving' The plan, developed in collaboration with the Bengaluru City Police Department, aims to maintain public safety and order during the festivities, The New Indian Express reported. Multi-departmental committees consisting of representatives from the BBMP, Police, BESCOM and the Fire and Emergency Services will operate at each of these zonal offices to address all festival-related requirements. ALSO READ | L&T terminated Corridor-2, Corridor-4 contracts of suburban rail project illegally: K-RIDE Speaking at a 'peace and harmony' coordination meeting held at Puttanna Chetty Town Hall on Saturday, Rao stated that these centres will provide all necessary permissions for organising Ganesha Chathurthi celebrations, including idol installations. He added that BBMP will soon release a list of each centre's address along with designated nodal officers on their website, making the process more accessible for devotees. BBMP will also organise immersion points at city lakes and set up mobile immersion tanks in every ward to make the idol immersion cleaner and more efficient, the report noted. Rao also mentioned that teams are already working on repairing pothole-ridden roads along the planned idol procession routes to ensure safety. ALSO READ | Japanese man compares Bengaluru airport to a luxury hotel: 'Never seen anything like this before' Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh also addressed the gathering, urging event organisers to follow safety regulations. He cautioned against placing idols in the middle of roadways and requested that organisers choose appropriate, less disruptive locations to avoid inconveniencing the public.


New Indian Express
2 days ago
- New Indian Express
Ganesha festival: BBMP to set up 75 zonal offices
BENGALURU: To facilitate the public during the upcoming Gauri-Ganesha festival, a single-window clearance system will be implemented at all 75 zonal offices of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), announced BBMP Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao. The event was jointly organised by BBMP and the Bengaluru City Police Department to maintain law and order during the festivities. The committee, comprised of officials from BBMP, the police department, Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM), and the Fire and Emergency Services, will be set up at all 75 zonal offices. Addressing the 'peace and harmony' meeting held on Saturday at the Puttanna Chetty Town Hall, he said, 'These centres will function as single-window units where all permissions related to Ganesha celebrations can be obtained. Detailed addresses of these centres and information about the respective nodal officers will soon be available on the BBMP website. Devotees planning to install Ganesha idols may visit their respective single-window centre to secure the necessary permissions.'