BBMP proposes new 7.22-km road in SWD buffer zone to ease ORR congestion

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) plans to construct a 7.22-km road in the buffer zone of a stormwater drain (SWD) to connect Hebbal and Hennur Main Road. The ₹200 crore project aims to decongest the Outer Ring Road (ORR), running parallel to it from Hebbal Military Farm to Kalkere Lake.

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Backed by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, the road is the first of its kind, leveraging SWD buffer zones to expand the city's road network. Despite criticism from environmentalists, BBMP has issued a public notice to acquire 71.5 acres of land across 149 properties, including the military dairy farm in Hebbal. Most of the properties are vacant land, easing acquisition challenges. However, compensation through transferable development rights (TDR) remains contentious.

The road will maintain a 25-metre buffer from the SWD's center but will vary in width, ranging from 17 to 24 metres, due to the irregular width of the drain.

Transport experts have urged BBMP to release a detailed project report (DPR), noting the project’s potential to disrupt major roads like Ballari, Thanisandra, and Hennur Main Roads and intersect Manyata Tech Park. The handling of these intersections remains unclear.

The proposal reflects BBMP’s efforts to address Bengaluru's chronic traffic congestion but raises questions about its environmental and logistical feasibility.