Bengaluru: Cabinet approves Rs 2,215-crore tunnel, elevated corridor for Hebbal-Mehkri Circle

Bengaluru: The state cabinet on Thursday approved a Rs 2,215-crore infrastructure project that includes a 2.27-km short tunnel at Hebbal Junction and a 1.27-km elevated corridor at Mehkri Circle.

The approval comes a day after senior officials overseeing Bengaluru’s civic affairs met to prepare a defence for the project, even as the Finance Department remained unconvinced about the costs and the project’s effectiveness in easing congestion.

Briefing reporters, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil confirmed the cabinet’s nod for constructing a twin-lane tunnel and an elevated corridor between Hebbal and Mehkri Circle. The Urban Development Department (UDD) had placed the proposal before the cabinet seeking administrative approval to float tenders.

In its justification, the UDD said widening the existing road is challenging due to land acquisition hurdles. It argued that the short tunnel and elevated corridor — along with the proposed 16.75-km North–South tunnel and East–West elevated corridor — would serve as long-term traffic solutions.

The department, headed by Additional Chief Secretary Tushar Girinath, added that the short tunnel would particularly benefit residents of Sanjaynagar, RT Nagar, Ganganagar and Ashwathnagar, as two-wheelers and autorickshaws will not be allowed in the 16.75-km tunnel.

The UDD also said it had consulted the Bengaluru Traffic Police, professors from BMS College of Engineering and private consultancy Arcadis, which reportedly estimated that the project could reduce congestion by 40%.

While Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (B-SMILE) had hired New Delhi-based Rodic Consultants to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR), the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has been tasked with executing the project and will fund it entirely through internal resources.

Under the lens

When the proposal reached the Finance Department, it raised several concerns, including the high project cost, the choice of a cut-and-cover underpass over a surface road, the project’s likely impact on congestion, and the possibility of new bottlenecks.

The department returned the proposal to the UDD seeking clarifications.

On December 3, senior officials met to address these issues. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is believed to have attended the closed-door meeting at the BMRDA office on Ali Asker Road.

In its response, the UDD said that a surface-level road was initially considered, but the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University refused to part with the required land, prompting a shift to a tunnel design.

Addressing concerns about new bottlenecks, the UDD said the elevated corridor would integrate with the East–West elevated road, creating a rotary-like interchange at Mehkri Circle. It also noted that the BDA has already earmarked the necessary funds.

Based on these submissions, the cabinet approved the project.

Decongestion plan

Twin tunnel (cut & cover)

Hebbal flyover to Veterinary College via GKVK premises

Length: 2.2 km

No of lanes: 3

Cost: Rs 1,490 cr

Two-lane bi-directional elevated corridor connecting proposed East-West elevated corridor with rotary, up and down ramps

Length: 1.70 km

Cost: Rs 725 cr

Total cost: Rs 2,215 cr