The Karnataka government has initiated a decisive push to complete the long-pending Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) in Bengaluru by announcing a significantly enhanced compensation package for landowners. This move targets the acquisition of the remaining 948 acres of private land required for the crucial infrastructure project.
Enhanced Compensation to Break the Deadlock
In a bid to overcome years of stalled negotiations and legal hurdles, the state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has approved a revised and higher compensation structure. The government will now offer landowners Rs 125 crore per kilometre for the required land, a substantial increase aimed at securing voluntary consent and expediting the process. This package is designed to be more attractive and acceptable to the landholders whose plots fall within the 65-meter-wide, 74-kilometer-long PRR alignment.
The decision comes after the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB), the acquiring agency, faced challenges in convincing landowners to part with their property at older, lower rates. The new, more lucrative offer is a strategic attempt to acquire the land through negotiation and consent, potentially avoiding further protracted litigation and delays.
Project Scope and Financial Implications
The Peripheral Ring Road is envisioned to decongest Bengaluru's core areas by connecting major highways like Tumakuru Road, Hosur Road, Old Madras Road, and Ballari Road. It is planned to form a large loop around the city, facilitating smoother transit for vehicles not destined for the central business districts.
Of the total land needed, the government already possesses about 1,810 acres. The current focus is squarely on the remaining 948 acres of private land. The enhanced compensation of Rs 125 crore/km will apply specifically to this pending acquisition. The overall project, including land acquisition and construction, is estimated to cost a staggering Rs 27,000 crore.
The funding model for this mega-project involves a unique partnership. The state government has entered into an agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which will provide a soft loan to cover a major portion of the costs. This international backing underscores the project's strategic importance for regional connectivity and economic growth.
A Path Forward for Bengaluru's Infrastructure
This proactive step by the Karnataka cabinet signals a renewed commitment to solving Bengaluru's infamous traffic congestion. By offering a higher, one-time compensation package, the government aims to resolve the most critical bottleneck—land acquisition—that has held the PRR captive for nearly two decades.
The success of this initiative hinges on the acceptance of the new rates by the majority of landowners. If successful, it will pave the way for tendering the construction work and finally commencing physical development. The completion of the Peripheral Ring Road is expected to redistribute traffic flow, reduce travel time, and boost economic activity in the city's peripheral regions, offering a much-needed respite to the overburdened inner-city roads.
Officials are optimistic that the revised compensation will lead to faster agreements, allowing the project to move from the planning boards to the ground, marking a new chapter in Bengaluru's infrastructure development saga.
