DK Shivakumar Lays Foundation Stone for ₹1,139 Crore Bengaluru Tunnel Road Project

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has laid the foundation stone for the first phase of the ambitious Bengaluru Tunnel Road project, marking the beginning of one of the city’s most significant urban mobility initiatives. The first phase, estimated at ₹1,139 crore, includes the construction of a 2.228-km six-lane underground tunnel connecting Hebbal Junction with the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) staff quarters.

The tunnel will be built nearly 60 feet below the ground and forms part of the larger ₹17,000 crore Bengaluru Tunnel Road corridor planned between Hebbal and Silk Board. Once completed, the corridor is expected to transform traffic movement across the city by reducing congestion on some of Bengaluru’s busiest roads while significantly improving connectivity to Kempegowda International Airport.

According to the Karnataka government, the project has been designed as a long-term infrastructure solution to address increasing traffic volumes caused by rapid urban growth. The underground corridor is expected to ease congestion between Mekhri Circle and Hebbal Junction, two of the city’s busiest traffic bottlenecks.

Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh said contractors have been instructed to complete the project within the prescribed timeline without delays. The construction contract has already been awarded to a private infrastructure company, which has commenced preliminary activities, including soil testing near the UAS staff quarters and surrounding locations.

The Bengaluru Tunnel Road project is expected to improve travel efficiency for both daily commuters and commercial traffic while supporting the city’s expanding residential, commercial and technology corridors. It also complements Karnataka’s broader strategy of investing in modern transport infrastructure to support long-term economic growth.

Urban planners believe underground road corridors can help optimise limited urban space while improving traffic flow in densely populated cities. The project is also expected to strengthen Bengaluru’s position as one of India’s leading technology and business hubs by enhancing road connectivity to key employment centres and the international airport.

With construction now underway, the first phase represents a major milestone in Bengaluru’s infrastructure development roadmap and is expected to play an important role in shaping the city’s future transportation network.