Bengaluru, 21 Dec

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has encountered setbacks in its ambitious plan to construct a twin-tunnel road as part of the Brand Bengaluru project. Originally designed to ease traffic congestion by connecting the City’s North and South zones, the project has now been reduced to a single tunnel.

The initial plan proposed twin tunnels between Hebbal and Silk Board to improve vehicular movement across the City, with corridors linking North to South and East to West. BBMP had planned to borrow Rs 19,000 crore for the project, aligning with the Bangalore Development Authority’s (BDA) borrowing for the 73 km Peripheral Ring Road (PRR). However, due to unforeseen challenges, the civic body revised the plan to a single tunnel and has now submitted a proposal for a reduced loan of Rs 8,000 crore.

The 18km tunnel road, connecting Hebbal to Silk Board, will feature a three-lane design. It is expected to alleviate Bengaluru’s notorious traffic congestion, passing through key landmarks such as Mekhri Circle, Palace Road, Race Course, Chalukya Circle, Cubbon Park, Lal Bagh, KH Road, and Jayanagar.

To recover construction costs, BBMP plans to implement a toll system, though details on rates are yet to be finalised.