How Corporate Houses Are Stepping In To Enhance Bengaluru's Standards With Road And Traffic Management Initiatives

A consortium of corporate leaders and organisations in Bengaluru has put forward a proposal to the government, suggesting that they assume responsibility for continuous management of the 30-kilometre section of the Outer Ring Road (ORR) — between Hebbal and Silk Board Junction.

While ensuring that ownership remains with the government, the group's objective is to enhance the city's infrastructure by implementing improved operations and maintenance standards.

The initiative has been spearheaded by Corporates in Real Estate (CiRE), a thought leadership platform consisting of over 150 global conglomerates.

Established in 2020, CiRE aims to collaboratively drive the advancement of the real estate industry in India.

Stretching across 60 km, the ORR holds significant importance as one of the premier road networks in Bengaluru.

It traverses through prominent localities including Hebbal, Banaswadi, Kengeri, Kengeri Satellite Town, KR Puram, Marathahalli, Mahadevapura, Sarjapur Road, HSR Layout, Madivala, BTM Layout, JP Nagar, Banashankari, and Nagarbhavi.

In 2020, CiRE presented the project to the previous government and got approval on a principal basis.

However, the project came to a standstill due to COVID, as per a Times of India report.

Jayaram Shivanasandra Govindaiah, President of CiRE, stated that the proposal had received approval from the previous government. They now plan to present it to the new government — along with the heads of public agencies like BBMP and BMRCL.

The expected timeline for getting approval is around three months.

The Pilot Proposal

The continuous growth of Bengaluru has brought forth a multitude of present-day challenges — particularly concerning severe traffic congestion that has overshadowed the city's achievements.

The corporate collaboration in the city is actively working on revitalising Bengaluru as a global and sustainable investment hub and have plans for outlining a blueprint for Bengaluru's transformation. 

According to the Hindu BusinessLine, the ORR’s micro-market in Bengaluru accounted for 45 per cent of the total leasing volume, with an average annual gross office leasing volume of 13.9 million square feet.

The infrastructure development along the ring road has received high ratings in terms of the liveability index.

However, a key challenge identified on the ORR stretch between Hebbal and Silkboard is the absence of round-the-clock management for the road.

Furthermore, the inadequate urban mobility infrastructure, coupled with the growing population and escalating demands, has worsened the traffic crisis.

For the pilot project, the forum will focus on asphalting, pedestrian facilities, emergency response and traffic management.

The undertaking needs the involvement of roughly 300-500 businesses and 300 individuals, along with 3,000 individuals indirectly aiding in the project.

The plan is to engage with the government and IT companies, including global corporates and others, located on the stretch that would dedicate a fund to ensure that the stretch is managed effectively.

As per reports, the fixed cost for developing the 30-km road is pegged at around Rs 5 crore, with the monthly operational cost ranging between Rs 1.5 crore and Rs 2 crore.

Taking Charge Of The Daily Problem Areas

The government considers the implementation of improved road infrastructure, including flyovers and enhanced connectivity — to accommodate the increasing volume of vehicles.

It is equally vital to prioritise efficient operations and management of the transportation networks on a regular basis.

This approach is crucial for ensuring smooth and safe mobility within the city.

Jayaram Shivanasandra Govindaiah's plan to implement round-the-clock management of the stretch aims to enhance traffic flow and enable swift response to road accidents.

Moreover, the partnership with IT industries is anticipated to facilitate the introduction of air ambulance services, ensuring efficient transportation of injured individuals in need of urgent medical attention.

The forum further aims to concentrate on various aspects which includes — ensuring high-quality asphalting, implementing greening initiatives, building footpaths on both sides, moving out street vendors and enforcing lane discipline through wardens.

“We will split the 30-km corridor into 3-km stretches and give each to a group of companies to maintain. There are about 3,000 IT firms along ORR alone,” he added.  

Apart from having traffic wardens working 24x7, the group proposes to and put 1,200 CCTVs and build control rooms every 5 km — which will be equipped with paramedical staff.

This initiative aims to create job opportunities for 1,000-1,500 individuals and benefit a population of 2.9 million people.