Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has ordered Arthur D Little to establish a 12,800 km-long digital infrastructure utility corridor in Bengaluru to reduce the clutter of overhead optical fibre cables (OFCs) and power transmission and distribution lines. The Rs 2 billion initiative is part of the ‘Brand Bengaluru’ campaign, aiming to overhaul Bengaluru’s urban infrastructure. The new corridor will use existing ducts to create a safer urban environment and improve pedestrian safety and traffic flow.
The project is part of a broader push to expand optical fibre infrastructure across India, with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) working on a 10,000 km OFC network. The network will be crucial for expanding internet connectivity to remote areas, as well as speeding up the rollout of 5G and 6G technologies. As part of this initiative, 512km will be established along the Hyderabad-Bengaluru corridor. The initiative aims to build a digital highway that enhances connectivity and provides a plug-and-play model for telecom services.
In addition, BBMP plans to charge OFC providers a fee for using the underground ducts, generating revenue for the city’s development. The OFC network will be leased on a fixed price allotment basis through a web portal.
