Varthur-Gunjur road upgrade delayed again, full relief only by 2027

Despite repeated assurances, the SH-35 widening and elevated corridor project in east Bengaluru is unlikely to be ready before 2027, with land acquisition delays slowing down every stage of progress.

The long-standing infrastructure woes along the Varthur-Gunjur corridor are set to continue, with Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL) confirming that the widening and elevated corridor project along State Highway-35 will not be completed before 2027. The slow-moving project, originally intended as a 1.9-km widening initiative, has expanded into a larger redevelopment plan involving a short flyover near Varthur Kodi, and future provisions for a double-decker structure and metro alignment.

Although the project layout has grown in scope, its on-ground progress remains minimal. Only scattered drain construction and demolition work is currently visible along the stretch. Of the 198 properties notified for acquisition, several have been cleared and compensated, but acquisition for 19 properties continues to remain stuck. This bottleneck has stalled full-scale execution and is the primary reason behind the revised deadline.

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According to officials, the pace has improved compared to last year, but land negotiations remain one of the toughest challenges. Transferable Development Rights (TDR) issued through the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) eased the process in a few pockets, but not enough to accelerate the project significantly.

With no alternate route available to reach Outer Ring Road from the Varthur-Gunjur side, commuters continue to battle narrow lanes, uneven surfaces and deep potholes. The constant dust has also led to respiratory issues among residents and motorists, while pedestrians struggle without safe walking or crossing zones.

Residents say that a motorable road, even without widening or elevated lanes, would bring immediate relief.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka State Highway Improvement Project (K-SHIP) division is preparing to take up pothole-filling work across 70 km, including stretches that fall under SH-35. Tenders worth ₹2.6 crore will soon be floated for the task.

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In a departure from the usual road resurfacing contracts, the government has specifically assigned K-SHIP the responsibility of identifying potholes, repairing them and maintaining the corrected patches for one year. The initiative is expected to offer some short-term relief for daily users of the Varthur-Gunjur corridor, even as the larger project continues at a slow pace.

Under the plan, a private contractor will be appointed to locate and fill potholes along the Anekal-Kempegowda International Airport Terminal-2 stretch, and ensure maintenance over the following months.

With clear signs that the main project will take at least two more years, commuters are left to manage poor road conditions until significant progress is made. Until then, temporary fixes such as pothole filling remain the only form of relief on this critical east Bengaluru route.