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Peripheral Ring Road is back with BDA

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Written By silkboard - 13 June, 2008

BMIC Traffic Bangalore NICE PRR Ring Roads

http://www.bdabangalore.org/pprnew.htmThe Peripheral Ring Road is back. Not much new as far as the specs are concerned, but the big changes are, one, BDA (state govt) will be executing it, not NHAI (central govt) and two, it will be a PPP project.

[Pic: PRR Ph I as in 2005]

There were several reports across papers today (ET, Biz-standard) and here is a summary:

  • 100 meters wide, 4 lanes each way, including 2 edge lanes dedicated for buses.
  • 12 m wide center median for 'future' use (example cited - elevated mono rail)
  • Tolled road. Though no clear documentation yet on the exits and interchanges
    • Expect interchanges with all National highways for sure
  • Phase 1 (60 km) will be taken up first. This would be the north east loop (Tumkur Road to Hosur Road cutting across via Old Madras Road, Malur).
  • Claims of completing PRR Phase 1 in 30 months (TOI carried this, not Business-standard). Remember, the project concept is now 7-10 years old depending on whose claim you believe :)
  • No mention yet of "intermodal" exchange (Metro to BRTS on PRR). But thats okay, I think PRR's primary purpose is to connect peripheral areas (ITPL to E-City for example) so that a lot of vehicles can just avoid the main city. Think of it as a modern version of "bye-pass" roads of old days.

Want to know more about PRR? Head to BDA website - Peripheral Ring Road

Sounds good, but I am interested in alignment of Phase II of PRR (the South loop). and its offset from NICE Peripheral road being done as part of BMIC. Two such high density roads so close to each other (and both tolled!) is perhaps not a good idea.

[Pic of phase II as in late 2005, source: BDA website back then]

http://www.bdabangalore.org/pprnew.htm

 

COMMENTS

Only half?

narayan82 - 13 June, 2008 - 06:19

I hope this does align with Nice's road. Otherwise we will have 2 high speed parallel ring roads seperated by maybe 4-5 kms. This way the entire stretch will be completed faster. Also further south from NICE is bannerghatta and other reserve forests, building a road through it would do a lot of harm. BDA said 30 months for completion - I think this excludes Land aquisition which Is going to take much longer I forsee!

Why not integrate with NICE on the West?

s_yajaman - 13 June, 2008 - 06:20

On the one hand we never seem to have funds for basic infrastructure - physical and social.  On the other hand we want to duplicate roads.  They need to extend NICE-PRR till NH7 rather than build another road.

PRR on the east side makes sense. At least they are starting with that stretch!

Does this mean that NICE-PRR is not going to see the light of day?

Srivathsa

Phase I - land already notified

silkboard - 13 June, 2008 - 06:49

I remember seeing long notifications about acquiring land along PRR Phase I back in March 2007 (last year!). So the work must be on I assume (along with usual controversies which will start surfacing now).

I think the fact that only Phase I has been given go ahead means that Phase II vs NICE Peripheral Road debate is alive. Making PRR Phase I PPP project? Well, is that like opening a door for NICE!? Government can't handpick NICE, but I am sure Kheney can't be stopped from making legal bids to be a partner here.

So bottomline, wait and watch, there should be more to come. But it better be done right, which means

  • Work well with with NICE PRR
  • Interchanges with upcoming elevated roads, expressways and national highways. I am talking BETL, Nelamangala Tollway and main NICE Expressway to Mysore and not the usual NH7, OMR, and NH207.
  • But not too many exits and interchanges - this road should be for long haul traffic alone, period.
  • Plan for interchange with public transport modes to get deeper in the city. There is talk of Bus terminals, space for Metro etc. But Public transport on PRR itself is one thing. Getting from PRR to deeper city on pubic transport is another.
Narayan - PRR Phase II alignment and Benerghatta park is a good question. Don't have access to high resolution maps of PRR Phase II so hard to see things clear, but perhaps that sharp curve to south in the phase II map (see above) is to go behind BG park?

No news yet on NICE

blrsri - 13 June, 2008 - 08:47

Was expecting some news on NICE before this..but anyways this will be good enough if BSY can get it completed in his tenure!

Its said this will be tolled so it sounds similar to NICE. As per the earlier plan the road was supposed to meet Hosur road near Attibele (Kr -Tn border)..so dont think it will cross BETL.

See this as providing connectivity to BIA...cos I guess it hits Belary road around yelahanka..

Hopefully we dont go wasting resources by doing the phII of the PRR and instead use NICE for it!

Eco friendly resorts

mcadambi - 14 June, 2008 - 13:13

One could adopt eco friendly building methods in the Ghat region - see this for example: http://vernarch.com

 

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