BDA Proposes 4.5 Km Underground Tunnel Between Dr. Rajkumar Memorial and BEL Circle to Ease Bengaluru Traffic

The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has proposed a new 4.5 km underground tunnel road in Bengaluru as part of its ongoing efforts to improve urban mobility and reduce traffic congestion. The proposed tunnel will connect Dr. Rajkumar Memorial at Yeshwanthpur with BEL Circle by passing beneath the busy Goraguntepalya Junction, one of the city’s most congested traffic intersections.

The proposal comes shortly after work commenced on the Hebbal tunnel road project, highlighting the city’s growing focus on underground transport infrastructure to address increasing traffic volumes. The new corridor is expected to provide uninterrupted movement for motorists while reducing delays caused by multiple traffic signals and heavy surface-level congestion.

Goraguntepalya Junction serves as a crucial interchange connecting Tumakuru Road, Outer Ring Road and several industrial and residential corridors in north Bengaluru. Daily traffic movement through this junction includes commuters, commercial vehicles and public transport, often resulting in significant bottlenecks during peak hours.

According to the proposal, the underground tunnel will offer a direct route between Dr. Rajkumar Memorial and BEL Circle, improving connectivity for commuters travelling towards Yeshwanthpur, Mathikere, Jalahalli and other northern parts of the city. The project is also expected to complement Bengaluru’s expanding road, metro and flyover infrastructure.

The BDA believes that underground corridors can play an important role in improving mobility where widening existing roads is difficult due to dense urban development. Such projects minimise land acquisition requirements while preserving surface infrastructure and reducing disruption to surrounding commercial and residential areas.

The proposal is currently at the planning stage and will require detailed engineering studies, traffic assessments, environmental clearances and government approvals before construction can begin. Officials are expected to evaluate technical feasibility, project costs and implementation timelines before the project moves to the execution phase.

If approved, the tunnel will become another major addition to Bengaluru’s long-term infrastructure strategy, supporting faster travel, improved connectivity and a more efficient urban transport network as the city continues to expand.