Bengaluru To Build Buffer Zone Roads Near Bellandur Lake Easing Traffic Congestion
Bengaluru authorities have announced plans to construct new buffer zone roads near Bellandur Lake to ease mounting traffic congestion in the city’s East and South regions. The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), led by Chief Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao, has ordered detailed surveys to assess feasibility, land availability, and environmental impact. The project aims to create smoother vehicular movement while integrating pedestrian-friendly and recreational spaces along the corridor.
The direction was issued during Rao’s inspection of multiple locations across the East and South City Corporation limits, where officials were tasked with evaluating available land parcels in the Bellandur Lake buffer zone. The survey will determine whether construction can proceed without disrupting sensitive ecological areas or public access. An official stated, “The initiative seeks to balance urban mobility with sustainable land use around the lake, ensuring roads do not compromise environmental or social priorities.”Plans indicate the new corridor will span approximately one kilometre and measure 24 metres in width. It is expected to relieve traffic pressure on the Bellandur Lake bund road, which currently faces heavy congestion during peak hours. City planners also noted that integrating public walkways and recreational zones along the route could enhance the area’s livability while supporting green infrastructure objectives.
In parallel, the GBA has fast-tracked preparatory work for a 1.4-kilometre buffer road offering an alternative route to the heavily trafficked Wind Tunnel Road. The land, owned by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has received formal consent from the authorities, and tendering procedures are underway. “Construction will commence promptly once all government approvals are in place, providing immediate relief to commuters,” a planning official remarked.Additionally, officials reviewed the ongoing 2.6-kilometre buffer road connecting Ejipura Inner Ring Road to Sarjapur Outer Ring Road. Once completed, this link is anticipated to improve connectivity between major traffic arteries, reduce congestion, and support smoother urban circulation. Analysts highlight that strategically positioned buffer roads can distribute traffic loads, improve travel times, and complement the city’s broader sustainable mobility initiatives.Urban experts emphasise that roads near sensitive ecosystems, such as Bellandur Lake, must be carefully designed to manage stormwater, protect biodiversity, and allow public access. By embedding pedestrian-friendly zones and green spaces, the project aims to advance Bengaluru’s zero-carbon and inclusive urban development goals while addressing immediate traffic challenges.
Bengaluru’s move reflects a growing trend among Indian metropolitan authorities to integrate functional infrastructure with sustainable urban planning. As the city expands, initiatives like buffer zone roads could set a benchmark for developing inclusive, eco-conscious transportation corridors that serve both commuters and the wider community.
