Varthur-Sarjapur road joins ORR as one of Bengaluru’s most congested stretches

Driving the nine-kilometer stretch of State Highway-35 between Varthur Kodi and Sarjapur-Ambalipura Road is a perpetual challenge for commuters. Open drains, expansive soil mounds, choking dust, and frequent potholes obstruct their journey. The recent surge of schoolchildren enduring lengthy bus rides during school hours underscores the everyday suffering of residents in this bustling locality, which is home to numerous apartment complexes, over 20 reputed schools, and several tech firms.

According to a recent analysis by the Bengaluru Traffic Police, this State Highway has now joined the Outer Ring Road (ORR) as one of the city's most congested roads. A senior traffic police officer disclosed that SH-35's congestion surpassed that of the ORR on several days, with traffic persisting throughout the day, unlike the ORR's peak-hour traffic.

The officer attributed this to the SH-35's continuous heavy traffic volume, causing a domino effect on connected roads, especially at key junctions, where traffic flow is manually managed.

The locality is plagued by inadequate road infrastructure and a dearth of pedestrian facilities. The narrow roads, several craters, and poorly constructed drains exacerbate the situation, leading to poor visibility and hazardous walking conditions. Residents and commuters alike suffer due to the lack of infrastructure and the slow-moving traffic, which in turn affects other major connecting routes leading to the State Highway.

Despite ongoing civic works and a history of delayed projects, the condition remains unaltered, prompting calls for urgent corrective action.