Bengaluru’s big road fix – From 100 critical roads to 117km business corridor, how city plans to tackle congestion and crumbling infrastructure

After a heated public debate on Bengaluru’s crumbling infrastructure involving Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar Shaw and city officials, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has launched a major plan to identify and redevelop 100 critical roads across the city. The initiative marks a turning point in the city’s struggle against potholes, traffic chaos, and urban mismanagement.

GBA chief commissioner Maheshwar Rao directed engineers from all civic bodies to shortlist 100 important roads—10 from each zone—for comprehensive upgrades. Each stretch will get a detailed development plan focusing on road durability, drainage, streetlights, footpaths, and maintenance to ensure quality that lasts beyond a single monsoon.

The new citywide plan aims to include citizen feedback and data on pothole density, traffic volume, and cleanliness to decide which stretches need urgent attention. GBA officials said the approach will prioritize roads suffering from chronic flooding, garbage dumping, and unsafe pedestrian zones, creating a more accountable and transparent system.

GBA has made it mandatory for all civic agencies—including BWSSB and BESCOM—to get prior approval before carrying out any roadwork. Weekly review meetings will ensure progress tracking, while chief engineers will be held personally accountable for the upkeep, coordination, and long-term sustainability of Bengaluru’s major roads.

Biocon chairperson Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, who has been vocal about the state of Bengaluru’s roads, welcomed the GBA’s move but urged officials to focus on durability over temporary patchwork. She also called for clearing encroachments that hinder road repairs and public safety, echoing the sentiment of countless citizens frustrated by short-lived fixes.

Chief minister Siddaramaiah admitted that the government will miss its October 31 deadline to make Bengaluru pothole-free due to persistent rains disrupting repair work. He instructed GBA to lay a temporary layer of asphalt wherever possible to ensure roads remain motorable and safe until full-scale development resumes after the monsoon.

Deputy CM DK Shivakumar said that over 10,000 potholes have already been filled, and citizens are being encouraged to report remaining ones directly through official channels. The initiative aims to make civic response faster and more transparent, while the state tries to overcome decades of poor road planning and maintenance.

Top ministers, including CM Siddaramaiah and DCM Shivakumar, blamed the previous BJP government for leaving behind massive debts, unpaid tenders, and neglected roads. They promised that the new GBA framework would ensure financial accountability, consistent monitoring, and sustainable road-building practices across Bengaluru’s urban zones.

In a major infrastructure push, the state government revived the 117km-long Bengaluru Business Corridor (BBC), formerly known as the Peripheral Ring Road. The corridor will connect Tumakuru Road to Mysuru Road via Yelahanka and Electronics City, easing traffic congestion by nearly 40% and opening new economic zones around the city.

Deputy CM DK Shivakumar announced that the BBC will be completed within two years at an estimated cost of Rs 27,000 crore. With flexible land compensation options for farmers, a dedicated Metro strip, and modern design standards, the project represents a vision of a smarter, better-connected Bengaluru ready for future growth. (All image credits: AI)