Bengaluru: The govt has revived the nearly three-decade-old Intermediate Ring Road (IRR) project, positioning it as a cost-efficient push to spur growth around Bengaluru’s satellite towns while sidestepping earlier land acquisition hurdles. To be executed by Bengaluru Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (BMRDA), the 210km corridor was first proposed in 2007 but stalled due to litigation and acquisition challenges. The project has now been revived on the directions of deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, with a focus on reconnecting 12 satellite towns — including Thattekere in Kanakapura, Harohalli, Bidadi, Tavarekere, Nelamangala, Devanahalli, Hoskote, Dommasandra and Anekal — on the city’s outskirts, forming a critical mobility ring between emerging growth centres. Urban development department notes accessed by TOI reveal parts of the earlier alignment were challenged in court, prompting the Karnataka high court in Aug 2022 to direct the govt to shift the alignment. BMRDA subsequently revised the plan in March 2023. However, the revised alignment, drawn without detailed surveys, proposed stretches along existing PWD roads, resulting in inconsistent widths ranging from 9m to 30m against the originally planned 90m corridor. This triggered a rethink. In Dec last year, Shivakumar chaired a review meeting where BMRDA decided to revert to the 2007 alignment but with limited modifications. Officials said the original alignment had already been incorporated into master plans of multiple planning authorities, reducing potential conflicts. Now, the 2023 realignment has been scrapped, with a fresh alignment drawn to minimise disruption to existing layouts while aligning with other regional road networks. Adjustments have been made where IRR intersects Nelamangala Town Ring Road and merges with Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR) towards the Anekal-Hoskote stretch. Officials pointed to a key financial advantage. Since portions of land fall within approved layouts, developers are expected to transfer land free of cost through registered relinquishment deeds at the time of development approval, reducing the acquisition burden on the govt. “The IRR will help connect vast stretches between STRR and the PRR and is expected to boost development of the 12 satellite townships,” said Rajendra Cholan, BMRDA commissioner. He said BMRDA already has 175 acres for the project and will pursue additional acquisitions. “We will explore options to fund implementation,” he said. IRR is being positioned as a key addition to Bengaluru’s expanding road network, alongside the near-complete 228km STRR worth Rs 17,000 crore, the proposed Bengaluru Business Corridor estimated at Rs 27,000 crore, and 11 infrastructure corridors spanning 75km with an outlay of Rs 13,500 crore.
