From North to south, how Karnataka plans to solve Bengaluru’s ‘slow’ problem with Rs 18,000 crore ‘underground’ project

The Karnataka government has approved a Rs 17,780 crore project to build a 16-kilometre road tunnel under Bengaluru, aiming to reduce travel time between the city’s northern and southern parts. The project will be executed in two phases and will be the country’s longest road tunnel once completed. Despite opposition from citizen groups and transport experts, the government plans to invite a global tender for the project soon.

Bengaluru Tunnel to cut travel time by more than half

The proposed tunnel will run from Esteem Mall in Hebbal Junction to Central Silk Board Junction in HSR Layout. According to officials, the tunnel is expected to bring down travel time from around 60 minutes to 20–25 minutes. It will be constructed using eight Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) at a depth of 30 metres.

The work will be divided into two equal phases:


Phase 1: Esteem Mall to Seshadri Road

Phase 2: Seshadri Road to Silk Board Junction

The tunnel will include two- or three-lane entry and exit points at various locations. Construction is likely to take 26 months, followed by 12 more months for civil and related work.

Bengaluru underground tunnel: Toll charges and safety measures

The tunnel will be tolled, with a proposed fee of Rs 19 per kilometre during the 2029–30 period. The private company selected for the project will be allowed to collect toll for 30 years after completion. However, two-wheelers will not be allowed inside the tunnel for safety and operational reasons, as reported by The Times of India.

Budget support and funding structure

During the presentation of the state budget in March, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had said that the Karnataka government would act as a guarantor for two tunnel projects to be undertaken by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

The BBMP will provide 40% of the total project cost as Viability Gap Funding. The budget also proposed setting up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to execute the tunnel works.

Cabinet clears only the north-south corridor

The state government had originally planned two major tunnels: a north–south tunnel of 18.5 km and an east–west corridor of 28 km, with a combined estimated cost of ₹40,000 crore. However, in May, the cabinet approved only the north–south tunnel project.

The approved tunnel is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion in Bengaluru’s core areas.

(With inputs from TOI)