Bengaluru’s traffic-weary commuters may finally have something to look forward to. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has laid the foundation stone for the city’s first tunnel road project—a 2.2-km underground corridor connecting Hebbal Junction and Mehkri Circle. The biggest surprise? The tunnel will be completely toll-free, despite being one of the city’s most ambitious road infrastructure projects in recent years.
The project is being positioned as a major step towards easing congestion at Hebbal, one of Bengaluru’s busiest traffic bottlenecks and a critical gateway to Kempegowda International Airport.
Bengaluru’s First-Ever Tunnel Road
The six-lane, bi-directional tunnel road will stretch approximately 2.2 kilometres between Hebbal and Mehkri Circle. Built using the cut-and-cover construction method, it will pass beneath railway infrastructure, sections of the Outer Ring Road, and nearby surface roads before emerging closer to the city centre.
The tunnel is expected to provide a signal-free route for thousands of daily commuters travelling between north Bengaluru, the airport corridor, and central parts of the city.
No Toll Despite ₹1,139 Crore Cost
One of the biggest announcements made during the foundation ceremony was that motorists will not have to pay any toll to use the tunnel.
The project, estimated to cost around ₹1,139 crore, will be fully funded by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA). Officials said the decision to keep the tunnel toll-free is aimed at encouraging wider adoption and delivering direct benefits to commuters struggling with daily traffic congestion.
The announcement comes amid ongoing debates around Bengaluru’s proposed larger tunnel-road network, some portions of which may eventually involve user charges.
Completion Target Set At 18 Months
Authorities have set an ambitious completion timeline of 18 months. Construction work is expected to begin in full scale within days, with preliminary soil investigations already underway. The tunnel is designed to support vehicle speeds of up to 60 kmph and significantly reduce travel delays around the Hebbal junction.
However, commuters may have to brace for temporary disruptions during construction as sections of Ballari Road and surrounding areas undergo excavation and traffic diversions.
Part Of A Bigger Traffic Solution
Shivakumar described the Hebbal tunnel as an interim solution while the state government continues planning larger infrastructure projects. Among them is the proposed 17-km Hebbal-to-Silk Board tunnel corridor, which remains under consideration and is expected to take several more years to materialise.
The government has also highlighted other major projects, including the Bengaluru Business Corridor and new arterial roads, as part of its long-term strategy to tackle the city’s worsening traffic crisis.
Not Everyone Is Convinced
Despite government optimism, some mobility experts have questioned whether tunnel roads are the right solution for Bengaluru’s congestion problems. Critics argue that large road projects often shift traffic bottlenecks from one location to another rather than reducing the total number of vehicles on the road.
Others have raised concerns about construction-related disruptions and the project’s compliance with transport planning approvals.
A Major Test For Bengaluru Infrastructure
For now, the Hebbal tunnel represents one of Bengaluru’s most closely watched infrastructure projects. If completed on schedule, it could become a model for future underground road corridors across the city.
With traffic congestion continuing to rank among Bengaluru’s biggest challenges, commuters will be watching closely to see whether the city’s first tunnel road delivers on its promise of faster and smoother travel.
Summary
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has launched Bengaluru’s first tunnel road project, a 2.2-km six-lane corridor connecting Hebbal and Mehkri Circle. The ₹1,139-crore project will be completely toll-free and is expected to be completed within 18 months. Designed to ease congestion around Hebbal Junction and improve airport connectivity, the tunnel is part of the government’s broader effort to address Bengaluru’s long-standing traffic problems.
