The Karnataka government has approved a Rs 6.94 billion project to resurface nearly 390 kilometers of Bengaluru's roads, addressing the city’s long-standing infrastructure woes. The Urban Development Department (UDD) has greenlit the action plan, which will be executed by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) over two financial years.
Outer city areas, where road conditions are particularly dire, will receive the bulk of the funding. Rs 4.29 billion has been allocated for nine assembly constituencies, including Yelahanka, Bommanahalli, and RR Nagar. Mahadevapura, a key tech hub plagued by poor infrastructure, will see an investment of Rs 1.4 billion. In contrast, Dasarahalli has received the smallest allocation of Rs 200 million.
The city’s core areas, comprising 18 assembly constituencies under BBMP's East, West, and South zones, have been allocated Rs 2.64 billion. These regions are considered relatively better off but will also benefit from upgrades.
Initially, BBMP planned repairs for 197 roads with a budget of Rs 6.59 billion in September. However, after pressure from legislators, the revised plan now covers 218 roads, with work expected to begin in January following tender approvals.
To ensure quality and consistency, an 11-member committee comprising experts from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru and the World Resources Institute (WRI) India is developing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for road and footpath repairs. The SOP is slated for completion by mid-December.
(Deccan Herald)
