Traffic chaos at Hebbal.
Credit: DH FILE PHOTO
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday announced plans for a 1.5-km underground road at Hebbal, separate from the longer tunnel road proposed earlier.
The new stretch is aimed at easing congestion at Hebbal junction.
He was speaking after inspecting the newly constructed loop on the Hebbal flyover, meant to help vehicles coming from Nagawara enter the city. "The elevated loop will be opened to the public before August 15, after confirming the Chief Minister’s availability. Another loop connecting the airport service road and the city loop will be opened later,” he said.
The proposed tunnel road will link Nagawara, Esteem Mall, and the Agricultural University. The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) will take up this project independently.
Meanwhile, Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Limited (B.SMILE) is working on a 16.75-km elevated corridor between Hebbal and Central Silk Board, which Shivakumar referred to as the longer tunnel road.
Urban experts have cautioned that continuous construction of tunnel roads and flyovers may not offer lasting solutions. They have urged the government to prioritise expanding the suburban rail and metro networks for more sustainable traffic management.