Balancing Growth and Green: Bengaluru’s Business Corridor and Its Forest Footprint

The long-awaited Bengaluru Peripheral Ring Road, now branded the Bengaluru Business Corridor and managed by Bengaluru Business Corridor Ltd (BBCL), will cut through one of north Bengaluru’s last green belts—a 700-metre segment of Jarakabande Kaval reserve forest (also known locally as Avalahalli forest). The elevated road will measure 35 metres wide and be supported by two piers standing 5.4 metres tall to minimise ground disruption.

The project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reveals about 631 trees in this forest patch alone will be lost, contributing to an overall loss of 36,824 trees along the entire corridor. The forest provides essential habitat for wildlife, including leopard sightings, and supports rich biodiversity. Experts warn that road construction and subsequent traffic could have long-term ecological consequences, disrupting wildlife and vegetation.

Land acquisition nearing completion spans over 1,800 acres, with farmers offered multiple compensation options including cash, developed plots, and transferable development rights (TDRs). The corridor aims to ease Bengaluru’s traffic woes by linking major arterial roads with an access-controlled eight-lane expressway and facilities for future metro or BRTS lines.

Key Highlights:

700-metre elevated stretch will pass through Jarakabande Kaval reserve forest.

Around 2.4 hectares of forest land to be diverted; 631 trees to be felled in this section.

Entire corridor project requiring removal of over 36,800 trees.

Forest is ecologically important, with leopard habitats and diverse vegetation.

Land acquisition nearing completion, with multiple farmer compensation options.

Expressway aims to reduce Bengaluru traffic by providing alternate routes.

Inclusion of future metro/BRTS reservation and access control for smooth flow.

Sources: Hindustan Times, Times of India, Newskarnataka, Moneycontrol