DK Shivakumar Inaugurates ₹631 Crore Signal-Free Corridor in Bengaluru, Travel Time Cut to 20 Minutes

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has inaugurated a new 10.7-km signal-free corridor in Bengaluru, marking another milestone in the city’s expanding urban infrastructure. Developed at an investment of ₹631 crore, the project is expected to significantly improve traffic movement and reduce travel time across one of Bengaluru’s busiest transport corridors.

Named after former Chief Minister S M Krishna, the 10-lane corridor stretches from Kadabagere Cross to Challaghatta Metro Station. The road has been designed as a modern urban mobility corridor featuring green boulevards, service roads, dedicated cycling tracks, multiple bridges, underpasses and a tunnel to support faster and safer travel.

According to the Karnataka government, the project will reduce travel time between Magadi Road and Mysuru Road from nearly 60 minutes to just 20 minutes. The corridor is also expected to improve connectivity for several residential layouts and surrounding villages while offering better access for commuters travelling from Mysuru, Mandya, Hassan, Ramanagara, Kunigal and Magadi into Bengaluru.

The infrastructure includes three underpasses, 11 bridges and a 270-metre tunnel that provides an alternative route to the NICE Road. A three-metre-wide central median has also been incorporated to facilitate future Metro Rail expansion, making the corridor ready for long-term urban transportation needs.

During the inauguration, D K Shivakumar announced that the Karnataka government will create a “Wall of Gratitude” to honour landowners who voluntarily contributed land for public infrastructure projects. The initiative aims to permanently recognise citizens who support the development of roads, industrial areas, schools and other public facilities.

The Chief Minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the proposed 123-km Bengaluru Business Corridor project. He said land acquisition would continue with multiple compensation options, including commercial land, residential land and Transferable Development Rights (TDR), allowing landowners to choose the most suitable package.

CM DK Shivakumar confirmed that construction of the proposed tunnel road near Hebbal will commence shortly as part of the government’s broader strategy to address Bengaluru’s growing traffic congestion.

The newly inaugurated signal-free corridor represents another major investment in Bengaluru’s road infrastructure and reflects the state’s continued focus on improving urban mobility, supporting economic growth and building a future-ready transportation network.