Bengaluru Tunnel Road to Have Tolls, Says Deputy CM Shivakumar

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar confirmed that the proposed ₹17,780 crore Bengaluru tunnel road project will be tolled, saying the massive infrastructure plan cannot proceed otherwise.

“A global tender will be floated shortly. This project can’t be done without tolls — even Airport Road and NICE Road are tolled,” Shivakumar told reporters on July 9, addressing the cost implications of the ambitious 16.75-km North-South corridor connecting Hebbal to HSR Layout.

According to the detailed project report, commuters may pay up to ₹19 per km a one-way trip costing approximately ₹318. The initial toll plan was ₹16 per km.

The tunnel project will be executed under a modified Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model. The state government will bear 40% of the total cost, with the remaining 60% expected to be invested by the selected private firm through global bidding.

Shivakumar dismissed criticism from JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy, who recently discussed tunnel road alternatives with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. “He’s just talking. Let him bring the funds first,” he said.

On the question of Cabinet expansion, the Deputy CM said no discussions were underway. “We are focused on development work. Some road widening in Bengaluru needs Defence land, and we’re meeting the Defence Minister to resolve this,” he added.

The tunnel road aims to decongest central Bengaluru and reduce commute time by offering a high-speed underground corridor through the city’s core. If cleared and awarded on time, this could be one of India’s costliest urban infrastructure projects.