Bengaluru’s Major Arterial Road nears completion, set to ease traffic woes

Bengaluru’s much-anticipated Major Arterial Road (MAR), a 10.8 km toll-free corridor linking south and west Bengaluru, is expected to be operational within the next two months. The 10-lane road stretches from Challaghatta (near the Namma Metro depot on Mysuru Road) to Kadabagere Cross on Magadi Road, running parallel to the tolled NICE corridor, which is approximately 2 km away.

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Designed to enhance connectivity to the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout (NPKL), MAR is projected to cut travel time between the two regions from 1.5 hours to just 10 minutes. Initially budgeted at ₹465 crore, the project cost has escalated to ₹585 crore. Constructed by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), the road passes through Kambipura, K Krishna Sagara, Bheemanakuppe, Kommaghatta, Kenchanapura, and Sulikere villages.

Despite overcoming hurdles in acquiring 321.1 acres of land, BDA now faces delays due to pending clearance from the forest department for a 2-acre land diversion in the Sulikere reserve forest. Meanwhile, work on a railway underpass is progressing, with BDA awaiting the completion of the Challaghatta Metro depot to finalize a 300-meter stretch on Mysuru Road.

Originally planned in 2011, tenders were floated in 2017, and construction began in 2018, with an initial deadline of August 2019. Now, authorities are hopeful the road will be ready for public use in the coming months.