For a commuter driving the nine-km stretch of State Highway-35 between Varthur Kodi and Sarjapur-Ambalipura Road in Bengaluru, the journey is an exercise in navigating one hurdle after another. Open drains run alongside the road, mounds of soil occupy non-existent footpaths, thick clouds of dust induce bouts of coughing, and commuters are forced to constantly manoeuvre around potholes along this busy stretch of east Bengaluru.