Bengaluru Tunnel Road to Cost 1.5 Times More Than Namma Metro Red Line, DPR Shows

The proposed KR Puram–Hebbal Tunnel Road in Bengaluru is expected to cost significantly more than the Namma Metro Phase 3A (Red Line), according to a comparison of the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of the two major infrastructure projects.

The 16.75-km Tunnel Road has been estimated at ₹17,780 crore, translating to approximately ₹1,061 crore per kilometre. In comparison, the 37.8-km Metro Red Line connecting Sarjapur and Hebbal has been estimated at ₹25,999 crore, or around ₹687 crore per kilometre.

The figures indicate that the tunnel road will cost nearly one-and-a-half times more per kilometre despite covering a much shorter distance.

The Metro Phase 3A project includes 23.52 km of elevated corridor and 14.28 km of underground alignment with a total of 27 stations, providing high-capacity public transport across one of Bengaluru’s busiest growth corridors.

The tunnel road, on the other hand, is designed primarily for vehicular traffic and will connect KR Puram with Hebbal through a six-lane underground corridor. Unlike the Metro, the project is expected to operate as a tolled facility, with reports indicating that round-trip charges could exceed ₹600 for eligible vehicles.

The cost comparison becomes more significant as infrastructure experts point out that the tunnel project’s final expenditure could increase further during construction. Estimates suggest that project costs may rise by as much as 45 percent by completion, potentially pushing the per-kilometre cost to nearly ₹1,538 crore.

The Metro project itself underwent revisions after the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs raised concerns over its earlier cost estimates. Following the review, Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited revised the DPR by removing one proposed station, bringing the total project cost down from ₹28,405 crore to ₹25,999 crore.

Both projects are intended to improve connectivity between southeastern and northern Bengaluru. However, while the Metro aims to move large numbers of passengers through an integrated mass transit system, the tunnel road focuses on reducing travel time for road users. The cost comparison is expected to play a key role in future discussions on Bengaluru’s long-term mobility planning and infrastructure investments.