The Karnataka government’s ambitious tunnel road project, designed to ease severe traffic congestion along Bengaluru’s north–south corridor, has reached a crucial milestone. Four infrastructure firms are now competing to build the proposed 16.7-km twin tunnel, which will run from Esteem Mall Junction in Hebbal to Central Silk Board Junction, covering one of the city’s most congested routes.

Despite its scale and potential impact, the project continues to face strong objections from environmental groups, civic activists and opposition leaders, who have questioned its feasibility, environmental impact and cost. Several petitions challenging the project are pending in court.

Four companies in contention for mega project

According to officials, the companies that have submitted bids to Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Limited (B-SMILE) — the special purpose vehicle overseeing the project — are:

  • Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL)
  • Adani Group
  • Vishwa Samudra Engineering
  • Dilip Buildcon Limited

A senior bureaucrat closely involved in the evaluation process confirmed that scrutiny of the bids is currently under way.
“The lowest bidder will get the tender. Once that is finalised, we will go in for consultation, and within the stipulated timeframe, work will begin on the ground,” the official said.

Tender extended multiple times due to limited interest

The global tender, floated in July this year, initially drew lukewarm response, resulting in repeated deadline extensions. The last date for bid submission was revised multiple times:

  • September 3
  • September 30
  • October 29
  • November 11

Officials said all four firms submitted their bids before the final deadline.

According to the tender document issued by the B-SMILE superintending engineer, the construction period has been set at 50 months, which means the tunnel could become operational by late 2029, provided there are no further delays.

Project structure and construction model

The tunnel will be developed under the Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) model with a 34-year concession period. This includes the duration of construction, operation and eventual transfer back to the government.

The project is divided into two major packages:

Package 1

  • Route: Esteem Mall Junction to Seshadri Road–Race Course Junction
  • Components: Twin three-lane tunnels, entry and exit ramps, ventilation and safety systems

Package 2

  • Route: Seshadri Road to Central Silk Board Junction
  • Components: Similar twin three-lane tunnels with dedicated access ramps

Officials estimate that at least eight tunnel-boring machines (TBMs) will be required for the excavation work due to the tunnel’s length and complexity.

Opposition challenges and environmental concerns

Since its announcement, the tunnel project has encountered resistance from multiple quarters. Environmentalists argue that large-scale underground construction may escalate groundwater issues and disrupt existing utilities. Opposition leaders have raised concerns over cost transparency, feasibility studies and prioritisation of public-transport solutions over road-expansion projects.

Several citizens’ groups have also expressed worries about displacement, long construction timelines and potential traffic disruptions during preparatory work.

Despite these objections, the government maintains that such a high-capacity tunnel is essential to address congestion on Bengaluru’s overstretched arterial roads.

Conclusion

With four major firms bidding and the tender evaluation under way, the Bengaluru tunnel road project has entered a defining stage. While its supporters view it as a transformative mobility solution, the project’s future will also depend on ongoing legal scrutiny, environmental clearances and public consultations. If all approvals proceed as planned, Bengaluru could see the country’s longest urban road tunnel become a reality by 2029.