Bengaluru’s widest road is slated to open by the end of June, but design and execution issues have been flagged

According to officials, the major thoroughfare could witness bottlenecks as the 300-feet-wide road at both ends converges into roads that are at least four times narrower. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

The Bengaluru Main Artery (MAR), the city’s widest road at 320 feet wide, is slated to be inaugurated by the end of June. MAR runs parallel to NICE Road, passes through Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout (NPKL) and is 10.76 km long.

However, problems arose in both its design and execution.

Earlier, The Hindu had reported about the possibility of bottlenecks at the ends of the road. Now Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) have planned to install traffic signals at both ends to solve the problem, after considering diversion of traffic through NPKL internal roads. The BDA also considered an underpass at Magadi Road as a solution, but it was futile.

High volume

According to sources, although some vehicles can be diverted to other roads, traffic volume at the connecting junctions is expected to be high, making the installation of signals inevitable.

“The actual volume of vehicles can be assessed when the stretch is fully operational and more people start using it. However, preliminary projections indicate the need for traffic lights,” said a traffic official.

The reason for the problems

According to the official, the main reason for the bottlenecks is that the 300-feet-wide road at both ends converges into roads that are at least four times narrower.

Additionally, MAR connects Mysuru Road with Magadi Road. Magadi Road already experiences heavy traffic, especially during weekends, and BTP officials say congestion at the MAR convergence point on Magadi Road is inevitable.

On the other hand, the MAR will not directly connect to the Bengaluru–Mysuru Access Controlled Expressway. While the MAR ends near Challaghatta metro station, the expressway begins a few kilometers earlier. As a result, commuters from the northwestern parts of the city who want to reach the expressway will have to travel a few extra kilometers.

“When the road was planned, provision could have been made for multiple link roads within the NPKL, which would have created connections to various points, so commuters would have had multiple route options. Now the BDA is looking into whether the internal roads can be connected at different ends,” the source said.

According to BDA sources, the road was planned way back in 2017 and the extent of the current problems and deficiencies could not have been foreseen then.

Great for connectivity

Despite design deficiencies, the MAR provides significant connectivity between Mysuru Road (National Highway) and Magadi Road (State Highway). The 10.76 km stretch will also form part of the 54 km Peripheral Ring Road-1 (PRR) that will connect Hosur and Tumakuru roads via Bannerghatta Road, Hosur Road and Magadi Road.

The road will have 10 lanes, including a six-lane main road (three lanes on each side), four-lane service roads (two on each side), dedicated cycle lanes and sidewalks with utilities underneath. Service roads and main traffic roads on both sides will be separated by 27.5 meter wide boulevards.

Recent issues

A purported video that has gone viral on social media shows part of the MAR collapsing after heavy rains on Saturday (June 20, 2026). BDA identified the problem and fixed it within two days. The BJP also took to social media to criticize the Congress government for alleged shoddy work. BDA officials were not available for comment.

Published – 24 Jun 2026 18:21 IST