To provide quicker access to water during fire emergencies in the congested market area, an integrated fire hydrant system has been built into two newly white-topped roads on Tank Bund Road and Rangaswamy Temple Road (R.T. Street) in Gandhinagar constituency.

The project was inaugurated by Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda alongside constituency MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao on Monday. This is the city’s first white-topped road project with an integrated fire hydrant system.

Tank Bund Road

R.T. Street 

Speaking after the inauguration, Mr. Byre Gowda said the hydrant system had been planned for the old market area because delays in firefighting often occur due to the narrow and congested roads. The two road projects, taken under the B-SMILE initiative, also include underground utility ducts and LED streetlights.

Pointing out that the government would continue expanding the white-topping programme across Bengaluru, he said 196 km of roads had been completed in the first phase, while half of the 120 km planned in the second phase had been completed. The remaining 60 km would be ready by December, he said, adding that another 250 km of white-topped roads, estimated to cost around ₹3,000 crore, would be taken up before the end of the year.

Replying to concerns over the higher cost of white-topped roads, Mr. Byre Gowda said they have a lifespan of around 25 years and reduce the need for frequent repairs. “Every year we lay tar roads and spend money repeating the same work. White-topped roads cost more initially, but they last for about 25 years. The footpaths will also be better and the city will look neater,” he said.

Eeze public toilets

At Tank Bund Road, the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) has also opened a precast ‘eeze’ public toilet near the metro and the BMTC and KSRTC bus stands. The facility has separate sections for men, women, transgender persons and persons with disabilities. The design, the Minister said, also includes a system to reduce odour.

Mr. Byre Gowda said the government would renovate public toilets that require repairs, build new ones where necessary and adopt a common design across the city.

Published - August 03, 2026 07:49 pm IST