Bengaluru’s Peripheral Ring Road Project Raises Concerns Among Industry Experts

In a bold move by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), the Bengaluru Business Corridor project, formerly known as the Peripheral Ring Road (PRR), has taken a singular contract route, diverging from the precedent set by previous endeavours such as the Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR) and Outer Ring Road (ORR)

This decision has ignited a fervent debate within the industry. Unlike its predecessors, which engaged multiple contractors, the PRR, spanning 73 kilometres, has attracted a lone bid from a Chennai-based company. The project, intended to encircle the city’s peripheries and alleviate traffic congestion, has raised eyebrows among experts who caution against the risks associated with placing the entire endeavour in the hands of one entity. Critics argue that such a singular approach could expose the project to substantial jeopardy should the chosen firm encounter financial or operational hurdles. With major players like L&T and Dilip Buildcon abstaining from participation in recent tendering efforts, questions arise regarding the viability of the single-package model.

Ashish Verma of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has underlined the perils of relying solely on one contractor for a project of this magnitude. He advocates for a segmented approach, similar to the Namma Metro, to enhance competition and mitigate risks, echoing sentiments shared by industry stakeholders. While the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and the Karnataka Road Development Corporation (KRDCL) opt for multi-firm strategies in their respective projects, the BDA’s decision stands in contrast, sparking concerns over the project’s direction and implementation strategy. Despite repeated attempts for comments, BDA Chairman N A Haris remained inaccessible, adding to the apprehensions surrounding the project’s trajectory.

The ambitious Bengaluru Business Corridor project aims to incorporate sixteen flyovers, ten overpasses, and twelve underpasses, bolstering the city’s transportation network. Notably, plans include bridges over seven water bodies, including Chikkatogur Lake, Gunjur Lake, and Jarakabande Lake, further facilitating connectivity. To address traffic complexities, the project integrates six cloverleaf-type overbridges, offering a solution for seamless crisscrossing without congestion. Publicly disclosed designs by the BDA unveil a 100-metre-wide greenfield expressway, complete with green spaces, utilities, underground cables, footpaths, cycle tracks, and drainage systems. Spanning a length of 65.95 kilometres from Hosur Road to Tumakuru Road, with additional segments near Madanayakanahalli and Hebbagodi, seamlessly linking existing roads, the project endeavours to redefine Bengaluru’s transportation landscape.