Better Roads for Our Children

JOINT REPRESENTATION BY PARENTS AND RESIDENTS

Request for Urgent Traffic Management, Road Repairs and Coordinated Action on the Varthur–Gunjur–Whitefield Corridor

To:
The Commissioner / Senior Traffic Police Authority
Bengaluru Traffic Police

The Managing Director / Chief Engineer
Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL)

The Chief Commissioner / Chief Engineer – Road Infrastructure
Bengaluru East City Corporation / BBMP

Subject: Urgent request for coordinated action on traffic congestion, heavy-vehicle movement and road conditions on the Varthur–Gunjur–Whitefield corridor

Dear Sir/Madam,

We are a group of parents and residents whose children and families depend on the Varthur–Gunjur–Whitefield road corridor every day.

The traffic situation on this corridor has become increasingly difficult, particularly during school arrival and dispersal hours. School buses carrying children are routinely spending extremely long periods on what are relatively short journeys. The poor condition of portions of the road, ongoing construction activity and heavy-vehicle movement are contributing to the problem.

This is not a new or isolated issue.

A 2015 report on the Varthur–Gunjur–Sarjapur corridor documented approximately 200 school buses and 100 lorries being affected by congestion, with more than 1,500 parents having signed a petition seeking action. The report identified several schools in the corridor, including Greenwood High, Global Indian International School, Inventure Academy, Chrysalis High School, Oakridge International School, TISB and Indus International School.

Importantly, the same report documented that heavy vehicles were already being restricted during peak hours, following representations from residents and parents. It identified the major school-traffic periods as approximately 7:00–9:00 AM and 2:30–5:00 PM.

More recently, in February 2025, the Varthur–Gunjur Road was again reported to be subject to restrictions on large goods carriers during peak hours, while congestion continued to be severe.

The continuing problem is particularly concerning given the ongoing infrastructure works on SH-35. KRDCL is executing the widening of approximately 1.9 km between Varthur and Gunjur, with the existing road being expanded from approximately 30 metres to 100 metres. The associated elevated-corridor project has experienced significant delays and, as of August 2026, had a reported target of December 2026.

We fully appreciate that significant infrastructure works are necessary for the long-term improvement of this corridor. However, the current situation requires immediate traffic-management measures while these works continue.

We respectfully request the following:

1. Clarification and enforcement of existing heavy-vehicle restrictions

We request Bengaluru Traffic Police to:

• Confirm the current restrictions applicable to heavy goods vehicles and construction vehicles on the Varthur–Gunjur section of SH-35.
• Ensure effective enforcement of these restrictions during school peak hours.
• Specifically examine the movement of construction trucks, heavy goods vehicles and water tankers during school arrival and dispersal periods.
• Consider strengthening or extending time-based restrictions where necessary to protect school traffic and maintain road movement.

2. Immediate road repairs and maintenance

We request the relevant civic authority to urgently address:

• Potholes and damaged road surfaces;
• Uneven road sections created or worsened by ongoing works;
• Drainage-related deterioration;
• Obstructions and unsafe road conditions affecting school buses and other traffic.

The road condition is particularly problematic when combined with heavy construction traffic and the high volume of school buses.

3. Coordinated traffic management during ongoing KRDCL works

We request KRDCL, in coordination with Bengaluru Traffic Police and the civic authorities, to review traffic-management arrangements around the ongoing SH-35 widening and elevated-corridor works.

In particular, we request that construction-related traffic, diversions, barricading and material movement be planned so that they do not unnecessarily coincide with school arrival and dispersal periods.

4. Joint inspection of the corridor

We request a joint site inspection involving representatives of:

• Bengaluru Traffic Police
• KRDCL
• Bengaluru East City Corporation / BBMP
• Representatives of affected schools and parent groups

The purpose would be to identify the principal bottlenecks and agree on immediate measures that can be implemented while the larger infrastructure project is completed.

Why this requires urgent attention

The Varthur–Gunjur–Whitefield corridor has become an important educational and residential corridor, with multiple schools serving thousands of children in the surrounding areas.

The fact that similar concerns were formally raised by more than 1,500 parents more than a decade ago, and that heavy-vehicle restrictions were already introduced on the corridor, demonstrates that this is a longstanding and documented issue rather than a temporary inconvenience.

We are not seeking to obstruct necessary infrastructure or construction activity. Our request is for better coordination and time-based traffic management, particularly during school commuting hours, together with urgent attention to road conditions.

We believe that relatively simple measures such as effective enforcement of existing restrictions, appropriate scheduling of heavy-vehicle movement, traffic management at key bottlenecks and timely road repairs could significantly improve the daily experience and safety of thousands of students, parents and commuters.

We would be grateful if the concerned authorities could review this representation and provide an acknowledgement and an indication of the measures that can be taken.

We, the undersigned parents and residents, are willing to participate in discussions and support the authorities in identifying practical solutions.

Thank you for your consideration.

Yours faithfully,

Parents and Residents of the Varthur–Gunjur–Whitefield Corridor