Karnataka minister orders urgent repairs on Bengaluru’s SH-35 corridor

Karnataka Minister for Greater Bengaluru Development Krishna Byre Gowda has ordered urgent repairs on State Highway-35 and nearby roads after inspecting the eastern Bengaluru corridor. Mr. Gowda directed the Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited to repair the Sarjapur Road–Dommasandra–Gunjur–Varthur–Balagere corridor within two months.

The inspection followed repeated complaints, including an incident earlier in September when schoolchildren were reportedly stuck in traffic for more than two hours. The minister told officials to begin work wherever land required for road widening had already been acquired. He called for debris to be removed, potholes filled and damaged stretches made usable.

At the Varthur Lake bund, he found that no work had begun at a location where two roads converge, despite land being available, and ordered officials to start immediately. Mr. Gowda also raised concerns about narrow connecting roads, waterlogging and traffic bottlenecks.

He said repairing the main highway alone would not resolve congestion if interior roads remained inadequate. Officials were asked to examine drainage connections, junctions, road curves and the use of available road space. The minister alleged that establishments between Gunjur and Dommasandra had encroached on more than eight feet of roadside space and sought action against the encroachments.

Bescom officials were directed to remove unused poles and relocate transformers that obstruct traffic, especially near road curves. Mr. Gowda said road works should account for possible future transport projects.

He indicated that the government may explore a Metro connection between Dommasandra and Hope Farm, while stressing the need to plan current works with future expansion in mind.