Bengaluru’s ₹18,000 Crore Underground Tunnel Project Set to Transform Commutes from Hebbal to Silk Board, Reducing Travel Time from 60 to 20 Minutes Across the City’s Busiest Stretch

Bengaluru’s ₹18,000 Crore Tunnel Project: A New Hope for the City’s Traffic Nightmare

Bengaluru’s notorious traffic congestion might soon have a powerful fix. The Karnataka government has approved a ₹17,780 crore underground twin tunnel road stretching 16.7 km from Hebbal (Esteem Mall) to Central Silk Board, aimed at dramatically reducing travel time across the city’s most gridlocked corridor.

Currently, the 16 km stretch often takes over an hour to cross. The new tunnel system promises to bring that time down to 20–25 minutes, easing pressure on major roads, flyovers, and surface infrastructure.

Project Highlights

• Total Length: 16.7 km

• Estimated Cost: ₹17,780 crore

• Execution: Public-Private Partnership (PPP) via BOT model

• Phase 1: Hebbal to Seshadri Road

• Phase 2: Seshadri Road to Central Silk Board

• Depth: 30 meters underground

• Construction Timeline: ~36–40 months

• Vehicle Access: Only private four-wheelers, no two-wheelers

Who’s Building It?

The project will be executed under the BOOT (Build–Own–Operate–Transfer) model. Bengaluru Smart City Ltd (BSCL) and Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (B-SMILE) will provide 40% of the project funding as Viability Gap Funding, while the private partner will invest the remaining 60% and operate it for a period of 30 years.

Toll Charges

After completion, users can expect toll charges around ₹19 per km, which means a full trip could cost over ₹300. While this may deter some users, the time savings could prove irresistible for daily commuters.

Concerns and Controversy

Despite the optimism, the tunnel project has sparked debate.

• Citizen groups argue the funds should be used for public transit systems like Metro or suburban rail.

• Environmentalists warn of groundwater and seismic disruptions due to deep tunneling.

• Political differences have emerged, with opposition leaders proposing alternate underground urban road networks.

Part of a Larger Vision

This tunnel is part of a broader ₹1 lakh crore plan to revamp Bengaluru’s transport network, including elevated corridors, skywalks, buffer roads, and suburban rail systems.

If successful, the Hebbal–Silk Board tunnel could redefine Bengaluru’s urban transit for decades—cutting commute times, reducing fuel consumption, and unlocking massive productivity gains for residents and businesses

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