Karnataka Cabinet approves additional ₹1,118 crore for 134-km road project

The additional funds are expected to accelerate construction works, particularly in the Gunjur–Varthur stretch, where commuters have been facing traffic congestion due to poor road conditions.

The State Cabinet has approved an additional ₹1,118 crore to complete the 134-km road project connecting Attibele, Sarjapur, Dommasandra, Gunjur, Varthur, Whitefield, the Kempegowda International Airport and Nelamangala, Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said.

The project, sanctioned in 2017, was initially estimated to cost ₹2,290 crore. However, the revised project cost has increased to ₹3,409 crore owing to changes during implementation, higher land acquisition costs, rising prices, delays, and additional works.

The additional funds are expected to accelerate construction along the road, particularly in the Gunjur–Varthur stretch in east Bengaluru, where commuters have been facing traffic congestion and inconvenience due to ongoing infrastructure works and poor road conditions.

In a statement, Mr. Gowda thanked Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and the Cabinet for approving the additional allocation. He said the Cabinet had also expressed displeasure over the delays and instructed officials to ensure early completion of the project.

The Minister said he had sought a proposal from the Public Works Department (PWD) for additional funds following his field inspection of the road, after the condition of Varthur Kodi and Sarjapur Road drew widespread criticism. School buses travelling on the feeder roads to this stretch were stuck for over two hours last month.

The upgrading of SH-35 was taken up in 2019, setting the deadline to 2021. The project includes building a flyover at Varthur Kodi and widening the stretch between Varthur Kodi and the Varthur-Sarjapur stretch.