Bengaluru: A 6.2-km road proposed under the 2015 Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) has remained stalled for nearly two decades, worsening congestion and disrupting planned growth in east Bengaluru.The 140-ft-wide link from Gunjur to ORR via New Horizon College was designed as a key arterial route for Varthur, Panathur and surrounding areas. While stretches from both ends are complete, the central segment is held up by about 6 acres of forest land, a KPTCL substation, 20 private properties and two temples.With the link missing, traffic has been forced onto a limited network of narrow roads. Residents report longer commute times and rising congestion as housing supply expands without matching infrastructure. A local survey by residents estimates 15,000+ flats occupied or nearing completion across Panathur and Balagere, with more projects underway.The CDP road is expected to ease pressure on State Highway 35, Balagere-Panathur Road and Old Airport Road, and provide a direct connection to ORR for Varthur and Gunjur residents.Progress has been slowed by coordination issues among multiple agencies, including GBA, forest dept, KPTCL, and town planning. Forest clearance, though, remains the main obstacle, officials said.An initial proposal to provide compensatory land near Anekal to the forest dept was rejected. Another proposal involving land in Mandur, a bio-mining site, was also turned down as unsuitable for afforestation.After inspection, forest officials warned the proposed road could damage biodiversity, reduce forest density, disrupt wildlife movement, and affect groundwater recharge. They also flagged that the road would cut through a 33-acre tree park under the Nagaravana scheme, reducing its utility.Officials suggested upgrading existing roads as an alternative, though project proponents argue that the new link is necessary to handle current and future traffic.East corporation executive engineer Uday Chouguli said KPTCL has agreed to relocate its substation and that property acquisition and temple relocation are pending resolution. “The major problem is the forest land. If that’s cleared, we’ll be able to move the other processes forward,” he said.‘Buyers Are Being Misled’Residents have sought a halt to new building permissions until the road is approved, arguing that developers continue to market projects by citing the proposed CDP link.Shwetha R, a Balagere resident, said earlier road-widening promises in Panathur took years and materialised only after protests. “Now the CDP road is being advertised to sell properties, without even a proper road in the area. This will become a problem as new residents, with no choice, will use existing roads that are already congested,” she said.Pavitra Holla from Varthur said, “We don’t have good connectivity between Varthur, Gunjur, and ORR. The only option is the congested S-Cross road, or the Old Airport Road. There are so many projects coming up in this area, apartments cannot keep up without mobility infrastructure. The CDP road was needed 10 years ago, and we still see no progress.”Vivek, an IT employee in Panathur, said buyers were being influenced by projected infrastructure. “Almost all builders talk about or showcase CDP road. The cost of recent projects in Varthur and Gunjur has increased significantly. Considering the poor infrastructure, pollution, and terrible traffic conditions, the number of new apartment projects and the prices they quote are unbelievable and unacceptable. People are being misled.”
