All white-topping works currently under way in Bengaluru must be completed within six months, said Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Monday.

He said that over 50% of the white-topping work has been completed, while an additional 300 km of white-topping work will be undertaken. “Areas for the additional 300 km of work will be identified soon, and the work will begin accordingly,” he said. 

The Minister said that it was the Congress which came up with the idea of white-topping roads. “White-topping of 196 km was approved during the Congress party’s previous tenure, and 120 km was approved during this tenure. Of the 120 km, 58 km has already been completed,” Mr. Gowda said. 

Addressing the media after reviewing the white-topping works, the Minister said that white-topping was intended to provide durable, pothole-free roads and to reduce the need for repeated resurfacing. “While the cost of white-topping is around ₹10 crore per kilometre, it is expected to be more economical over the long term compared to repeated asphalt resurfacing,” he said. “The best part of white-topping is that Bengaluru will get good, usable footpaths in 90% of cases. It is a scientifically designed and supported solution. Once it is done, the traffic movement will also be better.”

Mr. Gowda argued that people often complain about slower traffic and ongoing construction while the work is under way, but stressed the need to focus on the long-term solution. 

The Minister also pulled up officials, asking them why the work has been consistently delayed. “What exactly is the issue? Delays in work are generally the result of payment delays. So, I even inquired whether it was related to payment matters, but the GBA Chief Commissioner told me that major payments have been cleared.”

“A six-month deadline has been set, and all works will be completed within it, while other areas will be identified in parallel,” the Minister said. 

The Bangalore Smart Infrastructure Limited has been given the responsibility and will be taking up the works, he added.