How Bengaluru’s PRR Will Navigate Through Jarakabande Kaval Forest With Elevated Flyover

The Peripheral Ring Road will pass through the Jarakabande Kaval reserve forest in north Bengaluru. A 700-metre elevated stretch is planned, affecting one of the area’s last green zones. Officials confirmed forest land will be diverted, raising concerns among environmentalists and local residents. (IMAGE CREDIT: AI)

Project chairman LK Atheeq said the PRR will be raised 5.4 metres above the forest floor and supported by two piers. The 35-metre-wide structure will not have service roads in this section, a move officials claim is to reduce direct disturbance to the forest terrain. (IMAGE CREDIT: AI)

Alongside the PRR, other developments such as Shivarama Karanth Layout and rapid construction around north Bengaluru are adding pressure on the fragile forest. Environmentalists say continuous expansion could overwhelm the ecosystem, reducing green cover and diminishing the quality of life for nearby communities. (IMAGE CREDIT: AI)

The alignment will run through the Arkavathy and Kumudavathy sub-catchments for almost 21 kilometres. The EIA warned this could threaten water flow patterns, soil stability and biodiversity. Experts fear road construction could disturb natural drainage, worsen erosion and reduce long-term ecological resilience. (IMAGE CREDIT: AI)

The 2022 Environmental Impact Assessment estimated 631 trees would be removed inside Jarakabande Kaval. Overall, the project could eliminate nearly 36,824 trees along the 73km stretch. These include thousands of trees around the TG Halli reservoir catchment, a key ecological zone for the city. (IMAGE CREDIT: AI)

Officials and activists fear lasting ecological disturbance once construction machinery enters the forest. Heavy equipment, concrete work and soil movement may damage vegetation and disrupt the habitat. They warn that even temporary disturbances can cause permanent changes to forest behaviour and wildlife patterns. (IMAGE CREDIT: AI)

A forest officer said the Bengaluru Development Authority has not yet submitted the official request to divert the forest land. Tree enumeration was completed earlier, and no new planting has been done along the alignment, as the area is already marked for infrastructure development. (IMAGE CREDIT: AI)

The 120-acre forest attracts hundreds of weekend visitors and supports rich plant life. Shrubs, tall trees and diverse undergrowth form a balanced ecosystem. Past leopard sightings show the area’s wildlife value. Environmentalists worry that construction will fragment habitats and reduce the forest’s natural capacity to regenerate. (IMAGE CREDIT: AI)

Authorities said 2.4 hectares of forest land will be diverted for this portion of the road. However, officials did not clarify how many trees will be cut. Earlier studies warned of significant vegetation loss, and environmental groups fear the final figure may be higher. (IMAGE CREDIT: AI)

Environmentalist KS Sangunni warned that project assessments focus narrowly on trees and overlook shrubs. These smaller plants support soil moisture, bird nesting and insect life. Removing them for construction and machinery movement could destabilise the forest’s micro-ecosystem, causing subtle but long-term ecological imbalance. (IMAGE CREDIT: AI)