Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda directed KRDCL to repair SH-35 within three months and provide immediate relief to commuters

Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda. | Photo credit: File photo

Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda revealed on Wednesday (September 30) that the government may explore a metro link between Dommasandra and Hope Farm in the future while inspecting State Highway-35 and surrounding stretches on the eastern outskirts of the city.

The minister inspected the stretch after repeated complaints, including an incident earlier this month where schoolchildren were stuck in traffic for more than two hours.

Mr. Gowda directed the Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL) to repair SH-35 and surrounding stretches within two to three months, stressing the need to plan the road work keeping in mind future metro expansion and other transport projects.

He admitted that several connecting roads to SH-35 are narrower and could pose a greater threat of congestion in the coming years. In particular, Mr. Gowda ordered the repair of the Sarjapur Road–Dommasandra–Gunjur–Varthur–Balagere corridor within two to three months.

While inspecting the corridor and surrounding areas, Mr. Gowda reviewed road works, drainage, traffic management, land acquisition, electrical infrastructure and other civic works.

Start working

Keeping in view the heavy traffic burden on the stretch after Varthur Kodi, the minister directed the officials to at least start the work where land acquisition for road widening is completed.

“Even where land is already reclaimed, there is debris. Remove debris, fill potholes and damage sections to make it motable,” KRDCL said.

Near the Varthur lake embankment, where the two roads converge, Mr. Gowda noticed that no work had been done despite the availability of land. He attacked the engineer and ordered work to begin immediately. He further pointed out that several businesses between Gunjur and Dommasandra were allegedly encroaching on more than eight feet of roadside space and sought action against such encroachments. He also reprimanded the officials for allowing the raids.

He further directed officials to immediately identify and deal with waterlogging and traffic obstructions. However, both of these problems are related to narrow inland roads, and repairing the main line alone would not solve the problem. Mr. Gowda also asked officials to look into sewer connections, improve junctions and turns and make better use of available road space.

He directed the Bescom officials to relocate the transformers and electric pylons blocking the roads, especially those located on curves. “Remove unused poles and relocate transformers wherever they obstruct the smooth movement of vehicles,” he said.

Published – 30 Sep 2026 20:19 IST