BBMP, B.PAC collaborate on data and design to make public spaces safe

Bengaluru: The Bangalore Political Action Committee (B.PAC) has released a report on the Inner Ring Road (IRR) to address the issues of traffic congestion, road safety, inadequate pedestrian access, missing crossings, and poor bus frequency.

The report is titled ‘IRR Street: Standstill to Active’, and specifically focuses on the 7.5 km stretch of the IRR from the Indiranagar KFC Junction to Madiwala Masjid in Koramangala. It was released by Maheshwar Rao, Chief Commissioner, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in Bengaluru on Saturday. 

In an attempt to improve bus reliability, walkability, and road safety in the area, B.PAC started working with the BBMP, Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP), and the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) in June 2023. During the period, the team conducted 10 audits, covering various grounds like bus frequency, bus stops, and black spots. 

“Despite the Indiranagar metro station being the second busiest station in the city, it is not connected to the important hubs of Indiranagar, Domlur, Ejipura, and Koramangala. Only the part of Indiranagar, closer to Old Madras Road, has metro access. The people living of the other end of the locality are completely marooned. We aimed to look into this matter through the report. This effort is not just about fixing one road— it’s about proving that data, design, and dialogue can reshape public spaces to be safer, cleaner, and more accessible,” said Revathy Ashok, Managing Trustee and Honorary CEO, B.PAC.

Some of the key achievements of the initiative include the increase in number of the MF5 bus fleet (SMVT to Silk Board)  from 17 buses and 169 daily trips in November 2023 to 26 buses and 227 trips in July 2025, installation of a temporary walkway to Ejipura bus stop, installation and repair of about 45 streetlights, and clearing of 4,300 tonnes of debris, 130 construction barricades, and 129 tonnes of garbage from medians and footpaths.

Based on the report recommendations, BBMP has implemented rumble strips, raised crossings, and zebra crossings at blackspots to avoid fatal accidents. Since the installation, there have been zero fatalities between November 2024 and January 2025, shared Revathy. The organisation is currently working towards fixing similar blackspots across the city. 

Speaking at the event, the BBMP chief indicated that June 2026 would be an ideal deadline for the completion of the Ejipura flyover. He also showed interest in promoting more walkability initiatives.