Bengaluru Begins Construction on ₹1,139 Crore Hebbal Tunnel Project to Ease Traffic

The Bottom Line

•The new Hebbal tunnel aims to reduce commute times to the international airport in 18 months.
•Commuters should watch for major traffic diversions near the Veterinary College and Hebbal Junction during construction.

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Hebbal Tunnel Foundation:

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar will lay the foundation stone this Sunday for a 2.18-km bi-directional tunnel project located near Hebbal in Bengaluru. The six-lane infrastructure, commissioned by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), aims to streamline traffic flow between Hebbal and Mehkri Circle, specifically targeting congestion for commuters heading towards Kempegowda International Airport.

Project Scope and Execution:

The project budget has been revised to ₹1,139 crore, with Hyderabad-based Rithwik Projects Private Limited winning the contract. The construction will utilize the cut-and-cover method, with the BDA opting for an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode to accelerate the 18-month completion timeline. Preparatory site assessments and alignment surveys at the Veterinary College campus have already commenced to facilitate the project's development.

Traffic and Infrastructure Implications:

Despite the government's ambitions, the project faces skepticism from urban mobility experts regarding its long-term efficacy in resolving Bengaluru's traffic bottlenecks. Internal BDA project reports suggest the tunnel may operate at lower service levels upon opening, raising concerns about potential ongoing congestion. This short-term tunnel remains distinct from the much larger 16.7-km North-South Corridor tunnel road project, which is currently undergoing separate evaluation and public scrutiny regarding its massive capital expenditure.

Pulse Intelligence

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Context & Background

The Bangalore Development Authority previously proposed a larger 16.7-km North-South Corridor tunnel road connecting Hebbal and Silk Board Junction.
The larger corridor project, estimated at ₹17,780 crore, has faced political criticism regarding its projected toll structure and bidding process.

Key Consequences

The tunnel will likely face rigorous scrutiny from city planning experts regarding its projected traffic service levels.
Completion of the 18-month construction cycle remains a critical benchmark for the BDA to demonstrate project management efficiency.
The project may lead to significant localized traffic diversions during the construction phase on the Outer Ring Road.

Market & Economic Impact

No direct market impact.