Bengaluru's Underground Revolution: A 17,780 Cr. Traffic Fix

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is set to invite global tenders for the construction of a six-lane, 16.745-km twin underground tunnel road connecting Esteem Mall Junction in Hebbal to Silk Board Junction. Estimated at ₹17,780 crore, the mega infrastructure project is designed to ease traffic congestion along Bengaluru’s key north-south arterial roads by creating an underground corridor.

Approved by the Karnataka State Cabinet, the project will be implemented in two phases:

Package 1: Esteem Mall to Seshadri Road (~8.7 km)

Package 2: Seshadri Road to Silk Board (~8.7 km)

The project will be developed under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, with BBMP contributing 40% of the cost as Viability Gap Funding (VGF). The concessionaire will hold toll collection rights for 30 years. A toll of ₹19 per km is proposed from FY 2029–30 onwards. Only four-wheelers will be permitted, with potential restrictions on two-wheelers currently under review.

Tunneling will be carried out using eight tunnel boring machines (TBMs). Excavation is expected to take 26 months, followed by 12 months of civil works. The total tunnel length across both corridors will be approximately 33.5 km.

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) was prepared by Rodic Consultants and has received government approval.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.