Karnataka Govt Aims To Tame Bengaluru’s Traffic Chaos With Rs 18,000 Tunnel Project — Details

Karnataka approved a Rs.17,780 crore, 16km road tunnel project in Bengaluru to cut travel time between Hebbal and Silk Board from 60 to 20 minutes. The project, executed in two phases, faces objections but will proceed with global tenders.

Image used for represenatation.

Source : PTI

With an aim to reduce the travel time in Bengaluru’s southern and northern parts, the Karnataka government has approved a project worth Rs 17,780 crore to build a 16-kilometre road tunnel. According to TOI, the project will execute in two phases, and it will be the longest road tunnel in the country after its completion. Amid objections from the transport experts and the citizen groups, reportedly, the state government has plans to invite a global tender for the project soon.  During the budget in March, Karnataka CM Siddaramaih had said that the Karnataka government would act as a guarantor for the two tunnel projects to be undertaken by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

According to the TOI report, the proposed tunnel will run from Esteem Mall in Hebbal Junction to the Central Silk Board junction in HSR Layout. The tunnel, according to the official, will bring down the travel time from around 60 minutes to 20-25 minutes. 

Project To Be Completed In Two Phases

In the first phase, the project will be completed from Esteem Mall to Seshadri Road. The second phase will consist of the completion from Seshadri Road to Silk Board Junction.

The report mentions that the tunnel will include two or three lane entry and exit points at several locations. The construction is likely to take 26 months, and it will be followed by 12 more months for civil and related work.

A Look At Fee Structure

According to TOI, the tunnel will be tolled, with a proposed fee of Rs. 19 per kilometre during the 2029-30 period. The private company will be allowed to collect the toll for 30 years after its completion. However, the two-wheelers will not be allowed inside the tunnel for safety and operational reasons.