The planned 140-ft-wide corridor was designed to connect Gunjur to the Outer Ring Road (ORR) via New Horizon College, easing pressure on busy routes and improving connectivity for fast-growing residential areas.

While portions of the road have been developed at both ends, the central stretch remains unfinished, forcing commuters to rely on narrow internal roads. This has led to severe congestion, longer travel times, and increased pressure on existing infrastructure.

Areas such as Varthur, Panathur and Balagere have been particularly affected, with residents reporting daily bottlenecks and limited alternative routes.

The delay comes at a time when real estate development in east Bengaluru is accelerating. A local survey by residents suggests that more than 15,000 flats in the region are either occupied or nearing completion, with several more projects underway.

With thousands of new residents moving in, the absence of a key arterial road is compounding mobility challenges and impacting quality of life.

Multiple factors have contributed to the prolonged delay. These include around 6 acres of forest land falling along the alignment, the presence of a substation operated by Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL), nearly 20 private properties, and the need to relocate two temple structures.

Coordination challenges among agencies such as the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), forest department and town planning authorities have further slowed progress.

Officials indicate that forest clearance remains the biggest hurdle, with earlier proposals for compensatory land being rejected.

Forest authorities have raised concerns about the environmental impact of the proposed road. The alignment is expected to cut through a 33-acre tree park developed under the Nagaravana scheme, potentially affecting biodiversity and groundwater recharge.

Experts have also warned that the project could disrupt wildlife movement and reduce green cover in an already stressed urban ecosystem.

Authorities have suggested upgrading existing roads as a temporary solution to ease congestion. However, many stakeholders argue that such measures will not be sufficient to meet long-term traffic demand.

Officials have confirmed that KPTCL has agreed to relocate its substation, but land acquisition and relocation of religious structures are still pending.

Residents have expressed frustration over the continued delay, particularly as developers continue to market projects by highlighting the proposed CDP road.

Many have urged authorities to pause new construction approvals until infrastructure gaps are addressed. Commuters also point to worsening conditions on routes such as Old Airport Road and internal link roads, which are already operating beyond capacity.

The decade-long delay of the CDP road underscores the growing mismatch between urban development and infrastructure planning in Bengaluru. As the city expands rapidly, resolving bottlenecks like this will be crucial to ensuring sustainable growth and easing the daily burden on commuters.