To alleviate the city’s notorious traffic issues, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has announced plans for an 18-km-long underground tunnel road. Estimated at a cost of approximately Rs 8,100 crore, or Rs 450 crore per kilometer, the project is slated for completion by January 1, 2025, according to BBMP officials.
The underground tunnel will span from Esteem Mall in Hebbal, situated in north Bengaluru, to the Central Silk Board junction in the city’s southern region. BBMP has outlined additional entry and exit points at strategic locations such as Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) quarters at Central Silk Board, Lalbagh, Bangalore Golf Club, Palace Grounds, and adjacent to Esteem Mall in Hebbal, ensuring enhanced connectivity and smoother traffic flow.
Presently, commuting between Hebbal and Central Silk Board can take up to an hour during peak traffic periods. However, with the implementation of this tunnel road, travel times are expected to reduce drastically to just 20-25 minutes.
The feasibility report identifies 15 congestion points along the route from Hebbal to Central Silk Board junction. Addressing these challenges, an underground tunnel is deemed the most effective solution, remarked a BBMP official.
While specifics regarding toll charges are yet to be disclosed, BBMP intends to introduce a commuter fee to facilitate ongoing maintenance of the tunnel. “The economically viable and scientifically proven solution of constructing a tunnel road aligns with long-term sustainability goals,” added the official.
