Bengaluru: In a significant push to upgrade urban infrastructure, the long-pending Intermediate Ring Road (IRR) project has been revived after nearly three decades, bringing renewed hope for improved connectivity across the city’s outskirts.
The ambitious project, spanning around 210 km, aims to connect 12 key satellite towns including Bidadi, Nelamangala, Anekal, and Thattekere, forming a crucial transport corridor to ease congestion and support regional growth.
Originally proposed years ago and formally planned in 2007, the IRR project remained stalled due to legal hurdles, land acquisition challenges, and planning inconsistencies.
A turning point came after a 2022 Karnataka High Court directive, which led to revisions in the road alignment. However, an interim alignment prepared in 2023 faced criticism due to uneven road widths and feasibility concerns, delaying progress further.
Authorities have now decided to revert to the original 2007 alignment with minor modifications, ensuring better integration with existing and upcoming infrastructure projects. The move is expected to minimise disruption and streamline execution.
The project is being steered under the direction of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, with the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region Development Authority leading planning and implementation.
The IRR will complement major ongoing and planned projects, including the Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR) network, the ₹27,000 crore Bengaluru Business Corridor, and other road infrastructure initiatives worth ₹13,500 crore.
In a notable development, parts of the required land fall within approved layouts, meaning developers may provide land free of cost, reducing the financial burden on the government.
Once completed, the IRR is expected to decongest major city roads and existing ring roads, improve inter-city and intra-regional connectivity, boost economic activity in satellite towns, and support Bengaluru’s expanding urban footprint.
Urban planners view the project as a critical missing link in the city’s transport network, especially as traffic pressure continues to rise beyond the existing Outer Ring Road. The revival signals a renewed focus on long-delayed infrastructure projects, with authorities aiming to finally turn decades-old plans into reality.
