Bengaluru approves twin tube tunnel to ease city traffic

A new 16.6-kilometre tunnel seeks to significantly reduce Bengaluru’s traffic difficulties by connecting Hebbal and Silk Board in just 20 minutes.

The Karnataka government has approved an ambitious infrastructure project for ₹19,000 crore to construct a 16.6-kilometre twin-tube tunnel in Bengaluru to alleviate the city’s ongoing traffic congestion. The tunnel will connect Hebbal in the north to Silk Board Junction in the south, reducing travel time from 90 minutes to just 20 minutes.

The tunnel’s many entry and departure sites, including ramps at Mekhri Circle, Racecourse Road, and Lalbagh, are projected to greatly improve commuter convenience. The project will be completed in two phases over three years.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) intends to fund the project with a ₹19,000 crore loan. The financing will be split 60:40 between the private contractor and the BBMP, with a further 30 percent projected through viability gap grants. The project will be created using a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) strategy, which will allow the contractor to operate and maintain the tunnel for 25 years after a five-year building period.

The proposed toll prices for cars utilising the tunnel range from ₹130 to ₹330, depending on the route. For instance, a 16.6 km drive from Hebbal to Silk Board costs ₹330, but shorter routes have lower tolls. Tolls will be revised annually, with a maximum rise of 5 percent, or up to 40 percent total. Other vehicle kinds’ rates have not yet been set.

While the tunnel promises to significantly increase municipal transportation efficiency, environmentalists and urban mobility specialists have criticised the project. Concerns have been raised concerning its environmental impact, propensity to promote urban expansion, and if it is consistent with long-term sustainable transportation goals. Furthermore, the hefty financial burden and reliance on loans have raised questions about its long-term viability.

Despite these concerns, the Bengaluru Twin-Tube Tunnel Project is a significant step towards alleviating the city’s traffic problems. The success of the project will be determined by how well it balances infrastructure expansion with environmental and fiscal prudence.