Bengaluru, 28 June 

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday sought to allay concerns over the proposed Mekhri Circle-Hebbal tunnel road, saying the 2.5-km twin tunnel would be toll-free and aimed at easing traffic congestion in Bengaluru.

Laying the foundation stone, he said the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) would execute the project using its own funds. The cut-and-cover tunnel is expected to reduce travel time across the busy Hebbal junction, which the Chief Minister described as the city's gateway. He also said the government had proposed a 17km tunnel from Hebbal to Silk Board Junction.

Shivakumar said the project formed part of a Rs 1.5 lakh crore infrastructure plan for Bengaluru, adding that the city, with 1.4 crore people and 1.35 crore vehicles, required major investments to meet future demand.

However, the project has drawn sharp criticism from urban mobility experts and the Opposition. BJP MP Tejasvi Surya argued that the tunnel would merely shift congestion by funnelling six lanes of traffic into the already saturated Mekhri Circle.

Experts have also questioned the traffic projections underpinning the project, with previous assessments by the Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority flagging flaws in the forecasting. Civic groups contend that the tunnel is unnecessary given the upcoming Blue and Pink Metro lines and suburban rail network, which are expected to ease congestion in the Hebbal corridor.

Mobility experts have further argued that the funds would be better spent on expanding BMTC bus services and improving pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.