Buffer Road from Koramangala to Sarjapur will be completed by March 2026: DKS

Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday inspected works related to the Sancharayuktha Project and said that the 5.50-km-long buffer road work from Koramangala to Sarjapur will be completed by March 2026.

The project has been planned to address the growing problem of congestion in Bengaluru. It aims to expand the city’s road network by constructing roads in the buffer zones of stormwater drains and lakes.

B-SMILE, the Special Purpose Vehicle, has estimated the potential to build a total road network of 310 km, including 90 km falling under the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) area. In the first phase, a 67.69 km road network has been planned at an estimated cost of ₹200 crore, according to an official document accessed by The Hindu.

As a pilot, B-SMILE has taken up works to build a 5.50-km stretch between Inner Ring Road in Koramangala and Iblur Junction on Sarjapur Road.

Speaking after the inspection, Mr. Shivakumar said, “This road will run from M.G. Road to Bellandur (full 10 km stretch). The Army has provided land for road construction in this stretch. We had requested Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to release this land, and he has granted permission to proceed with the work. With the construction of this new road, the public will no longer need to take a detour around the military area, reducing travel distance by nearly 10 km,” he said.

He said that heavy vehicles such as buses and lorries will not be allowed on these buffer roads and that only pedestrians, two-wheelers and cars will be permitted.

“In the first phase, works are being taken up at several places, including Rajarajeshwari Nagar, ITPL and other areas. No building construction will be allowed in the buffer zone. Those losing land are being given Transferable Development Rights (TDR), which will protect their interests,” Mr. Shivakumar said.

Tunnel Road

Commenting on Adani emerging as the lowest bidder for the Tunnel Road project, Mr. Shivakumar said, “I haven’t received complete information on this. I can’t comment until the bids are officially revealed.”

Asked about the lowest bid amount being much higher than the original estimates, he said, “The government is not paying any money to the bidder. The bidder has to invest in the project, and we will provide only 40% of our estimates.”