In a major push to Bengaluru’s long-pending road infrastructure projects, the Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday approved an additional allocation of ₹1,118.50 crore for the Anekal–Sarjapur–Varthur–Airport–Nelamangala road project.
The decision comes amid growing public anger over worsening traffic congestion, particularly along the Sarjapur–Varthur–Whitefield stretch, where schoolchildren, parents and office-goers have repeatedly found themselves stuck in traffic for hours.
Being implemented by the Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL), the project covers a 134-km stretch connecting Attibele, Sarjapur, Dommasandra, Gunjur, Varthur, Whitefield, Kempegowda International Airport and Nelamangala.
Originally sanctioned in 2017 at an estimated
cost of ₹2,290.50 crore, the project’s total cost has now been revised to ₹3,409 crore. The Cabinet has approved the additional allocation required to expedite the remaining work.
Of the additional ₹1,118.50 crore, ₹266.83 crore will be utilised for land acquisition, while ₹347.54 crore will go towards price adjustments. Higher land acquisition costs, price escalation, delays and additional works have contributed to the increase in the overall project cost.
Varthur To Get 1.92-Km Elevated Corridor
One of the major components of the project is a 1.92-km elevated corridor at Varthur, which has emerged as a major traffic bottleneck in Bengaluru’s eastern suburbs.
The project also includes flyovers at railway crossings at six locations — Gollahalli, Basavanahalli, Rajanukunte, Narayanapura, Kadugodi and Varthur Junction — aimed at improving traffic flow and reducing delays.
Once completed, the corridor is expected to improve connectivity between Hoskote, Nelamangala and Bengaluru airport. It will also provide a more convenient route connecting Bidadi to Sarjapur via Varthur.
The Cabinet has directed officials to expedite the pending work, expressing concern over delays in the project’s implementation.
Krishna Byre Gowda Thanks CM, Cabinet
Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said he had personally inspected the road and subsequently directed the Public Works Department to submit a proposal seeking additional funds to accelerate the project.
“With ₹1,118 crore in additional funding now approved, the pace of work will gain momentum,” he said, thanking Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, the Cabinet and the Public Works Department for supporting the proposal.
Parents, Schools Welcome Cabinet Decision
The Cabinet’s decision has also been welcomed by those directly affected by traffic congestion along the corridor.
Nooraine Fazal, who runs Inventure Academy in the region, welcomed the additional allocation, pointing out that the timely completion of the project would make a significant difference to children, teachers and families who spend hours navigating traffic on SH-35.
“For children, teachers, families and citizens spending hours on SH-35, timely completion would mean so much more — more time to learn and grow, play, rest, connect with each other and contribute towards a better tomorrow,” she said.
Welcoming the Cabinet’s move, she thanked the Chief Minister, the Bengaluru Development Minister and other Cabinet members, expressing hope that the decision would translate into faster execution on the ground.
With Bengaluru’s eastern suburbs witnessing rapid residential and commercial growth, the timely completion of the corridor is expected to play a crucial role in addressing the region’s mounting mobility challenges.
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