IRR Street: Standstill to Active
Revamping IRR into a moving and lively street
Why IRR and What We Aimed to Achieve?
The Intermediate Ring Road (IRR) connects Indiranagar and Koramangala in Bengaluru, serving as a vital link for commuters, businesses, and residents. However, the IRR faces severe traffic congestion, obstructed walkways, missing crossings, frequent road crashes, and inadequate bus frequencies, leading to overcrowding.
Aim:
In June 2023, we set out to improve bus accessibility and reliability, enhance walkability, and strengthen road safety along the 7.5 km stretch of IRR from Indiranagar KFC Junction to Madiwala Masjid in Koramangala—creating a safer, more efficient, and vibrant street for all.
Approach:
After extensive audits and data analysis, we have shared data-backed recommendations with the relevant government departments, including Bangalore Traffic Police (BTP), BMTC, BBMP, and BSWML. We are actively working with them to drive on-ground improvements.
PROJECT SCOPE
- Frequency and reliability of buses
- Walkability and accessibility
- Cleanliness
- Street lighting
- Road safety
- Bus waiting shelters
- Traffic signal
- Urban flood resilience
What Did We Achieve Regarding Each of the Concerns?
Obstacle course or street?
Our recommendations: Removal of construction debris, garbage, vehicles parking, and shop standees blocking pedestrians and forcing them onto the roads. To improve safety and accessibility at Domlur flyover, we have proposed 6 interventions that will help utilise existing pedestrian infrastructure along the flyover and create new ones for safe pedestrian access.
Impact Status:
A total of 4,325 tonnes of debris and soil, 130 construction barricades, and 96 tonnes of garbage were cleared from footpaths and medians between October 2024 and January 2025, in coordination with BBMP Project Central, BBMP SWM, BSWML, Marshals, and the Ejipura flyover contractor.
The six interventions were agreed upon on-site by both the Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) and the BBMP Traffic Engineering Cell (TEC) East during a joint site inspection organized by B.PAC. Permission letters from BTP have been sent to BBMP, approving the interventions and requesting their execution.
Fatal Crashes due to Overspeeding
Our recommendations: A total of 19 drawings of road markings and traffic calming interventions were provided for junctions and blackspots along IRR. From January to September 2024, 16 accidents were recorded at blackspots identified by BTP, with 5 fatalities. In 2023, 4 fatal accidents occurred at these same spots due to overspeeding.
Impact Status: Due to our persistent efforts, 10 Rumble strips, 2 Zebra crossings, 2 raised pedestrian crossings, 2 Speedhumps and its signage executed by BBMP TEC, significantly reducing the conditions of 5 blackspots on IRR. From Nov 2024 post interventions, there have been 0 deaths, and only 1 non-fatal road crash compared to earlier crash data.
Street Lighting
Our recommendations: More than 50% of IRR don’t have street light poles or electrical connection for it. There is potential for more than half of the existing streetlights on the 7.5 km stretch of IRR to light up.
Impact Status: 45+ Streetlights added, replaced & electrified.
Buses and Bus stops Conditions
Our recommendations: The MF5 Route (from SMVT Railway Station to Silk Board) requires 30 buses/schedules with efficient trip planning to achieve a 5-minute frequency. Of the 27 bus waiting shelters audited, 8 require urgent upgrades, 8 are completely missing, and all 27 lack lighting and CCTVs.
Impact Status: The MF5 fleet has increased from 17 buses and 169 trips per day in November 2023 to 26 buses and 227 trips per day currently. Additionally, a temporary walkway and lighting were installed at Ejipura Bus Stop (towards Indiranagar) from Ejipura Signal upon our insistence, ensuring safe accessibility for commuters.
Traffic congestion
Our recommendations: Increase pedestrian signal timing as it is not sufficient to even cross one road stretch completely at a time. A brief right turn signal was proposed at Ejipura signal while coming from Indiranagar side, to reduce congestion due to vehicles stalling at the centre of the road for that turn. Our efforts towards improving bus services are aimed at essentially reducing traffic congestion.
Impact Status: Follow up required.
Drainage problems
Our recommendations: Shoulder drains with kerb inlets to be constructed at every 15 meters, instead of 30 meters intervals being executed on site. The inlets were missing altogether earlier in most of the Koramangala side or otherwise clogged with garbage and silt. Open drains should be closed responsibly before laborers leave the site, with proper warning tapes and lighting in place to ensure safety.
Impact Status: BBMP has issued notices incorporating the recommended shoulder drain intervals. SWD pipe and trench laying is currently in progress near Ejipura Signal (Defence side towards Indiranagar). This stretch had remained dug up for months without any progress. Additionally, some open drains have been closed due to our consistent follow-ups.
Our efforts continue….
