Bengaluru: The Karnataka Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has granted in-principle approval for two significant infrastructure projects in Bengaluru: a twin-tube, single-level tunnel road costing ₹12,690 crore and a 250-metre high sky deck project estimated at ₹500 crore. These projects are the pet initiatives of Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, aimed at addressing the city’s traffic woes and boosting tourism.
The tunnel road project is a response to the severe traffic congestion plaguing Bengaluru. After the Cabinet meeting, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil informed reporters that the Cabinet approved the tunnel road plan, which is expected to ease traffic flow in the city significantly. “We will implement this project in a phased manner,” the minister stated.
Twin-Tube Tunnel Road
The tunnel road is designed as an 18.5 km stretch from Hebbal in the north to Hosur Road in the south, covering key points like Esteem Mall, Mehkri Circle, Chalukya Circle, Lalbagh, and Silk Board Junction. According to the feasibility report submitted by Altinac Consulting Engineering INC, this route is ideal for reducing congestion in one of Bengaluru’s most traffic-heavy corridors. The plan also includes the construction of interchanges at three strategic locations to facilitate smooth traffic movement.
The project, initially announced by CM Siddaramaiah in the Budget speech earlier this fiscal year, was prompted by the challenges associated with expanding existing roads due to land acquisition difficulties. To move the project forward, the state government has appointed Rodic Consultant Pvt Ltd to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) and initiate the tendering process under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model.
Sky Deck Project
In addition to the tunnel road, the Cabinet has also approved the construction of a 250-metre high sky deck, estimated to cost ₹500 crore. The sky deck is intended to be a landmark under the Brand Bengaluru concept, promoting tourism and offering panoramic views of the city.
The project, which is likely to be located at Hemmigepura (NICE road clover leaf), boasts excellent connectivity from Tumakuru, Kanakapura, Mysuru, and Hosur roads. This site was chosen due to its strategic location in suburban areas with minimal traffic congestion. Although the state government initially decided to fund the project using its own resources during a meeting chaired by the CM on July 17, the finance and planning departments have recommended that it be undertaken through a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Additional Cabinet Decisions
The Cabinet also approved the setting up of 52 new Indira Canteens across Bengaluru, aimed at providing affordable meals to the city’s residents. Furthermore, guidelines were released to acquire land through the issuance of development rights certificates (DRC) under the transferable development rights (TDR) scheme within the limits of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
These decisions reflect the state government’s commitment to addressing Bengaluru’s infrastructural challenges while also enhancing the city’s appeal as a global destination. The implementation of these projects is expected to not only alleviate traffic congestion but also bolster the city’s image as a modern and vibrant metropolis.