In a major move to decongest Bengaluru’s traffic, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister DK Shivakumar met Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi this week to seek approval for land acquisition under the Defence Ministry. The land is crucial for executing the ambitious Bengaluru Tunnel Road Project and several road widening initiatives across the city.
Sharing details on social media, Shivakumar stated: “Had a cordial meeting with Shri @rajnathsingh avaru… discussed the tunnel road and use of defence land for road expansion.” The BBMP has formally requested the Defence Ministry to transfer key parcels of land under its control.
The proposed underground corridor, designed to alleviate traffic snarls, includes two primary stretches:
- North-South Corridor: From Esteem Mall (Hebbal) to Central Silk Board (18 km)
- East-West Corridor: From KR Puram to Mysuru Road
The first phase, the 18-km North-South route, is estimated to cost ₹17,000 crore, with features including three entry and three exit ramps. The total project cost is pegged at ₹42,000 crore, for which the Karnataka government plans to raise ₹19,000 crore in loans with full state backing.
Authorities are also exploring partnerships with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to connect the tunnel with key routes such as NH-7 and NH-14, ensuring seamless integration with national corridors.
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