Varthur Road, also known as State Highway 35 (SH-35), is a vital connector to the prime locality of Varthur in East Bangalore. Its transformation reflects how the city evolved from being the “Garden City” to a global IT hub.
In the past, Varthur Road was a peaceful stretch linking small farming hamlets and the historic Varthur Lake. This lake, created centuries ago by the Ganga kings, was essential for irrigation and daily needs. For decades, the road mainly served local commuters travelling to nearby areas such as Marathahalli and the emerging Whitefield.
The IT boom of the late 20th and early 21st centuries completely changed this picture. Varthur Road became part of Bangalore’s rapid urban growth, now lined with apartment complexes, commercial spaces, and major IT parks.
Varthur Lake is among the oldest man-made lakes in Bangalore, spanning approximately 180.40 hectares (445.8 acres). Built by the Ganga kings, it played a key role in sustaining agriculture and domestic needs in this farming settlement. The Dakshina Pinakini river also flows through Varthur, highlighting its natural water resources.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Varthur remained a small rural zone with a population of just 5,431 in 1981. Around this time, Bangalore’s IT sector began gaining momentum, pushing development toward Varthur and nearby Whitefield, which was also turning into a tech hub. Varthur Road gained importance as a link between these areas and the city centre.
With IT growth accelerating in Whitefield, Marathahalli, and along the Outer Ring Road (ORR), Varthur Road became a major route for office commuters. The rising demand for housing led many IT professionals to settle here. In 2007, Varthur was incorporated into the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), marking its transition from rural governance to urban administration. In 2008, due to rapid population growth, Varthur was split into three Assembly constituencies — C.V. Raman Nagar, Mahadevapura, and Krishnarajapura.
The Varthur–Gunjur Main Road (SH-35) emerged as a crucial link between Whitefield and Sarjapur. However, its narrow width led to severe traffic congestion. Between 2010 and 2015, residents protested against heavy truck movement during rush hours, leading to restrictions. The influx of IT professionals and families boosted demand for homes, schools, and hospitals, but also put pressure on infrastructure.
Varthur Lake suffered extensive pollution, receiving about 40% of Bangalore’s untreated sewage. The lake became infamous for frothing and environmental degradation.
By mid-2025, the road-widening project for the Varthur–Gunjur stretch (from 30 metres to 100 metres over 1.9 km) was still incomplete due to land acquisition issues. The revised deadline is July 2025, though residents expect further delays.
A proposed ₹488 crore flyover on Varthur Main Road has drawn criticism from locals who believe it won’t effectively reduce congestion. Instead, many are pushing for a Metro connection. A feasibility study has been carried out for a 68 km Metro line from Kalena Agrahara to Kadugodi Tree Park via Varthur.
Traffic congestion remains severe, with over 3 lakh new vehicles added in Bangalore in the first half of 2025 alone. Citizen groups like Project Abhimanyu are campaigning for faster project completion and better infrastructure.
Real estate values along Varthur Road continue to climb, with property prices ranging between ₹7,000 – ₹12,000 per sq. ft. Rental yields stand at 3.5%–5% annually, thanks to proximity to major IT hubs like ITPL and RMZ Ecospace.
Adding to the area’s growing residential appeal, Prestige Group has announced the pre-launch of its new project, Prestige Evergreen, further cementing Varthur Road’s position as a prime investment and living destination in 2025.
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