BDA floated global tender for 74-km Peripheral Ring Road Project in Bengaluru

Bengaluru, India (Urban Transport News): The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has taken a significant step towards realizing the long-pending 74-kilometer Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) project, now named the Bengaluru Business Corridor. On January 30, the BDA initiated a global tender for the execution of this ambitious infrastructure venture.

The tender outlines the development of an 8-lane Peripheral Ring Road, complete with service roads, to be implemented through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model on a revenue-sharing basis. The lease period for the project is set at 50 years. The scope of the project, operating on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOTA) basis, encompasses the operation and maintenance of the road, including various infrastructure elements such as cloverleaf junctions, flyovers, underpasses, road overbridges/underbridges, toll plazas, transit zones, culverts, minor and major bridges, and more.

Land acquisition forms a crucial aspect of the project, with approximately 2,560 acres slated for acquisition. The estimated cost for land acquisition alone stands at Rs 21,000 crore. The expansive 74-kilometer road is expected to traverse 100 meters and involve the acquisition of 232 acres of government land, with the remaining portion being private properties.

The access-controlled expressway is designed to link Tumakuru Road and Hosur Road via a strategically planned route encompassing Hesaraghatta Road, Doddaballapur Road, Ballari Road, Hennur Road, Old Madras Road, Hoskote Road, and Sarjapur Road. This comprehensive connectivity aims to alleviate traffic congestion in the city's outskirts and enhance overall transportation efficiency.

Originally proposed in 2007, the PRR project has encountered several challenges, resulting in the escalation of its initial cost. From an initial estimate of Rs 3,000 crore, the cost has surged to Rs 21,091 crore and is currently projected to reach around Rs 27,000 crore. Delays in land acquisition processes and subsequent legal complications have contributed to the rise in costs. Notably, two tender attempts in 2022 did not attract any bidders.

Addressing concerns related to compensating farmers and affected landowners, the BDA acknowledges this as a major challenge. The new tender, scheduled to be opened on March 2, 2024, reflects the BDA's commitment to surmounting hurdles and progressing toward the realization of the Bengaluru Business Corridor.

The initiation of the global tender signifies a renewed push for the Bengaluru PRR project, aiming to establish an integral transportation network and contribute to the city's infrastructural development.