The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is gearing up for a major infrastructure overhaul with a white-topping project spanning 150 kilometres of Bengaluru’s roads. BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath confirmed the project’s imminent launch, with 13 out of 15 work packages finalised and contractors already on board. The remaining two packages await a government greenlight.
White-Topping Project For 150 Km Of Bengaluru Roads
The project’s success hinges on the seamless relocation of critical utilities. Water and sewer pipes, electrical cables, and gas lines require careful coordination with agencies like BWSSB, BESCOM, KPTCL, and GAIL to prevent future disruptions after the white-topping is complete.
Tannery Road, Mosque Road, DJ Halli Main Road, and Bull Temple Road are among the key roads earmarked for the project. The initiative also involves installing utility ducts alongside these roads, enabling future maintenance without causing traffic chaos. Notably, a majority of these roads lie within constituencies represented by Congress MLAs.
Traffic Management During Construction
Traffic management during construction is a crucial concern. Nath emphasised close collaboration with the traffic police to implement effective diversions and minimise congestion. Chief Engineer Prahlad estimates round-the-clock operations across the 150-km network.
This white-topping project reflects the Karnataka government’s commitment to tackling Bengaluru’s longstanding road woes. The government has sanctioned ₹800 crore for this phase, which builds upon the 145 kilometres of white-topped roads laid under previous urban development plans.
White-topping involves replacing conventional asphalt roads with a concrete layer. This concrete surface boasts superior durability, aiming to eradicate the pothole menace. Concrete roads promise a lifespan of 15 to 20 years. This is a significant improvement over asphalt’s 3 to 4-year life cycle before requiring retarring. The BBMP, advocating for white-topping since 2016 based on the TenderSure model, views it as a long-term solution to Bengaluru’s pothole woes, a problem that has plagued the city for decades.
While construction will cause temporary inconvenience, Bengaluru residents can look forward to a future with smoother, longer-lasting roads. This project represents a significant investment in the city’s infrastructure and aims to improve traffic flow and overall driving experience for years to come.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva (Representative Image)
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