A 10.8-km toll-free Major Arterial Road (MAR) connecting south and west Bengaluru is nearing completion, according to recent infrastructure updates. The project, managed by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), is expected to significantly improve connectivity between key city corridors and reduce travel congestion in the rapidly expanding western suburbs.
The road stretches from Challaghatta (Mysuru Road) to Kadabagere Cross (Magadi Road) and runs parallel to the existing tolled NICE Road corridor. It is designed as a 100-meter-wide, 10-lane expressway, featuring six main carriageway lanes for high-speed travel, four service lanes to facilitate local access, dedicated cycle tracks and pedestrian walkways to promote sustainable mobility.
Once operational, the corridor is expected to reduce travel time between the two regions from around 1.5 hours to nearly 10 minutes, offering a faster, cost-effective alternative for commuters. This development is also set to boost real estate demand in the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout (NPKL) and surrounding areas like Kommaghatta and Kenchanapura.
Key Project Highlights
- Project Name: Major Arterial Road (MAR)
- Length: 10.8 km
- Type: Toll-free urban corridor
- Connectivity: Mysuru Road to Magadi Road
- Developer: Bangalore Development Authority (BDA)
- Estimated Cost: ₹585 crore
- Travel Time Reduction: 1.5 hours to ~10 minutes
The project is designed as a 10-lane corridor with service roads, aimed at easing traffic congestion in western Bengaluru.
Infrastructure Features and Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Carriageway | 6 lanes |
| Service Roads | 2 on each side |
| Total Width | ~100 metres |
| Additional Features | Cycle tracks, footpaths, medians |
| Connectivity Benefit | Links south & west Bengaluru |
The road also includes cycling infrastructure, landscaped medians, and pedestrian pathways, aligning with modern urban mobility standards.
Strategic Importance for Bengaluru
The MAR corridor is expected to play a key role in Bengaluru’s expanding road network by:
- Providing an alternative to the tolled NICE Road
- Improving access to Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout (NPKL)
- Supporting future connectivity to proposed infrastructure such as the Peripheral Ring Road
- Enhancing accessibility to upcoming urban developments
Additionally, the road may serve as a transit corridor for future airport connectivity plans, reducing dependency on congested city routes.
Real Estate and Market Impact
Infrastructure upgrades of this scale often influence surrounding real estate markets.
Potential implications include:
- Increased demand for residential projects in west Bengaluru
- Improved accessibility leading to higher land value appreciation
- Growth of new micro-markets along the corridor
- Attraction of commercial and mixed-use developments
Such connectivity projects typically act as catalysts for urban expansion and investment activity.
Outlook
The completion of the Major Arterial Road is expected to ease traffic movement and strengthen connectivity across Bengaluru’s western and southern zones. As infrastructure development continues, such projects are likely to support long-term urban growth and real estate activity.
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