A longstanding bottleneck on Nallurhalli Temple Road in Bengaluru is set to ease after a private landowner agreed to allow public use of a portion of his property for road widening, with residents funding Rs 4 lakh for the asphalt work.
The approximately 40-metre stretch had narrowed sharply because part of the road fell within privately owned land. Although the carriageway was relatively wide on either side, traffic travelling in both directions was forced through the constricted section, causing daily congestion for residents, motorists and school buses.
According to residents quoted by Times of India, discussions with the landowner continued for nearly a year before permission was secured. The arrangement allows the land to be used for road purposes, but does not transfer ownership or relinquish the individual’s title over the property.
Following the agreement, citizen collective Whitefield Rising organised a crowdfunding campaign that raised Rs 4 lakh to asphalt the section. Road-widening work was taken up on Sunday. Residents said the newly asphalted stretch would remain closed for about two weeks to allow the surface to cure before it is opened to public traffic.
The road links Nallurhalli and Whitefield, making the bottleneck a regular source of delay for commuters even outside peak hours. Rahul, a Nallurhalli resident, said the junction had remained problematic throughout the day because the narrow section created congestion for people travelling between the two areas.
“This junction has been a problem irrespective of the time of day. Whether during peak hours or otherwise, the narrow road causes congestion for commuters travelling between Nallurhalli and Whitefield,” he said.
Zibi Jamal of Whitefield Rising said the landowner’s decision had helped resolve an issue that could have taken several years through regular government procedures. The initiative, however, remains a community-supported intervention rather than a change in land ownership or a formal civic acquisition.
“Had this gone through regular government processes, resolving and widening the stretch could have taken several more years. The owner’s decision to allow public use of the land has helped address a major bottleneck,” Jamal said.
Aravind Kirthi, another Nallurhalli resident, said citizen participation could help address some local infrastructure problems, while larger mobility challenges would continue to require government agencies. The East City Corporation was unavailable for comment on the work and the road’s reopening arrangements.
The immediate next step is the completion of the curing period. Residents expect the widened and asphalted section to be opened to traffic after approximately two weeks, subject to the work being ready for use.