Bengaluru is set to reduce its infamous traffic congestion with a 40-km tunnel road project planned by the BBMP. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) is ready, detailing two major underground corridors: an 18-km North-South link between Hebbal flyover and Silk Board, and a 22-km East-West route connecting KR Puram and Mysore Road.
The BBMP plans to finance the ₹19,000 crore project through a market loan, backed by a state government guarantee. A single-tube tunnel option was initially considered cheaper, but the current plan focuses on twin-tube tunnels. Additionally, part of the funding may support a proposed 28-km tunnel road between KR Puram and Nayandahalli, costing an estimated ₹25,000 crore.
The Silk Board-Hebbal corridor, part of Phase 1, is projected to cost ₹16,500 crore. BBMP intends to contribute ₹6,500 crore as viability gap funding, seeking private investment for the remaining costs. The initiative follows the state’s recent approval for a ₹27,000 crore loan for the 73-km Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) project.
Despite its promise to alleviate traffic, the tunnel project faces criticism from environmental activists over potential ecological and water management impacts.
Phase 2 of the project, involving the KR Puram-Nayandahalli stretch, awaits DPR preparation, with further updates expected soon.