Bengaluru, 26 July

BBMP Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao on Saturday reaffirmed the civic body's commitment to improving walkability by expanding pedestrian infrastructure. He was speaking at the launch of a report on Saturday that detailed two years of collaborative efforts to transform one of the City's most critical urban corridors—the 7.5km stretch of the Inner Ring Road, from Indiranagar to Koramangala.

"If you increase the footpaths, you will definitely increase the carrying capacity. It will reduce many other issues and promote safety. This is something we are committed to," Rao said.

The report was titled 'IRR Street: Standstill to Active', a project by the Bangalore Political Action Committee (B PAC), an NGO that aims to improve governance in City.

Since June 2023, B PAC has worked closely with Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation, the Bengaluru Traffic Police, and the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited to improve bus reliability, walkability, and road safety through a data-driven and participatory process, said Revathy Ashok, managing trustee and honorary CEO of B PAC.

"This effort is not just about fixing one road—it's about proving that data, design, and dialogue can reshape public spaces to be safer, cleaner, and more accessible," she said.

According to the report, the 7.5km stretch of the IRR—from Indiranagar KFC Junction to Madiwala Masjid in Koramangala—has long struggled with traffic congestion, road safety issues, inadequate pedestrian access, missing crossings, and poor bus frequency.

The IRR serves as a major connector between Koramangala, Domlur, Ejipura, and Indiranagar. It also connects to Indiranagar Metro Station, which sees the second-highest footfall in the city after Majestic.

To improve drainage and mitigate flooding, the report recommends constructing shoulder drains with kerb inlets (a component of the stormwater drainage system) every 5-7 metres—especially in flood-prone zones—instead of the current 30-metre intervals being implemented on site.