Bengaluru development minister Krishna Byre Gowda has ordered urgent pothole repairs and sought explanations from contractors over delayed road works on the Varthur-Gunjur stretch of State Highway 35, after schoolchildren were reportedly spending more than two hours travelling a few kilometres in traffic.
Gowda convened a high-level review meeting attended by officials from the Karnataka Road Development Corporation Ltd (KRDCL), Bescom, Bengaluru East City Corporation, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the state government. The meeting examined delays affecting the corridor, including the shifting of electric poles and other power infrastructure.
The minister directed contractors to immediately repair potholes and damaged sections between Brigade developments and Gunjur. Officials were also told to prioritise repairs on Varthur-Kodi Road, where deteriorating road conditions have added to congestion and travel difficulties.
The review followed public anger over severe traffic conditions on SH-35. Residents had highlighted the impact on school buses, with some children reportedly taking more than two hours to cover only a few kilometres. The report did not specify the exact duration or extent of the road delays beyond the affected stretches.
During the meeting, officials pointed to the contractor when questioned about the slow progress, while also acknowledging difficulties related to land acquisition. Delays in shifting electricity poles and power infrastructure were separately discussed. Residents and officials have repeatedly identified the relocation of these installations as a major factor holding up road works along the corridor.
Bescom officials, including the utility’s managing director, were questioned about the delays. The meeting brought together the agencies responsible for road construction, utility coordination and local infrastructure administration, reflecting the multiple approvals and worksites involved in delivering the corridor improvements.
The additional chief secretary has called both contractors to a meeting on Monday to explain the delays, according to a source familiar with the discussions cited by the Times of India. The source said that if the contractors do not provide a concrete explanation, the additional chief secretary is likely to recommend replacing them.
There were signs of activity on the ground after the review. Contractor representatives visited parts of the Varthur-Gunjur stretch on Sunday to assess pending works, while the KRDCL chief engineer inspected the site, according to local representatives cited in the report.
Residents have called for immediate replacement of any contractor found to be deliberately delaying the project or failing to work. They also urged the minister and agencies to move from meetings and inspections to visible progress on the road. The next formal step is the additional chief secretary’s meeting with the contractors on Monday.
