While unrest continues over roadwidening in the city, including a pending court case, the BBMP is widening 23 roads that are former BDA layouts. Work has already begun and is expected to finish in a year.

The BBMP is widening, strengthening and asphalting 23 roads in Bengaluru, under grants given by the Government of Karnataka. Sources in the BBMP say that work on these roads began six months ago and is expected to be completed in the next one year.

These 23 roads are not part of the 100-odd roads that are stuck in the Karnataka High Court, due to a petition filed by former mayor P R Ramesh. Read more about that here.

The following are the roads:  

All these 23 roads are former BDA layouts and are now being developed by the BBMP for a cost of over Rs 100 crores. Most of the roads are being widened to 18 metres (60 feet) or above. Interestingly, there is one road - Rajagopalnagar Main Road from TVS cross and Double Road to Peenya 2^nd Stage - that is already 30 metres wide. But the BDA's Revised Master Plan (RMP) indicates this road to be 24 metres. Sources in the BBMP say they aren't sure why the RMP says this.

In the case of some other roads, the current width varies along the stretch of a particular road and widening will be done accordingly. Take the case of Hosur Road to Begur Road, via AECS Layout. The road width is currently 7 metres in certain parts and 15 metres in other parts. The road will be widened to make the entire stretch 15 metres wide.

In the case of roads like Nyanapanahalli Road, it's currently 15 to 24 metres wide. The proposed width is also 15 to 24 metres. BBMP sources say in such cases only strengthening and asphalting of the roads will be carried out. 

Vaishnavi Vittal is a staff journalist with Citizen Matters.

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