Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy backs DK Shivakumar’s Bengaluru tunnel project, writes to Gadkari

This request from Kumaraswamy comes even as BJP MPs from Bengaluru — Tejasvi Surya and PC Mohan — have voiced strong objections towards the proposed tunnel road project between Hebbal and Silk Board junction, dubbing it as “unscientific and hazardous to the environment”

In his letter, Kumaraswamy underscored the need for a Peripheral Ring Road and underground connectivity for Bengaluru.

“Bengaluru, being the primary economic hub of Karnataka, continues to grapple with severe traffic congestion due to the city’s rapid expansion. To mitigate the issue of traffic, I request you to consider the development of Peripheral Ring Road around Bengaluru to decongest the city’s core and launching the construction of an integrated underground road network connecting key zones of the city. This transformative infrastructure will serve as the backbone of Bengaluru’s future urban mobility, significantly easing current bottlenecks, improving connectivity, and supporting long-term sustainable growth,” he stated.

Apart from Tejasvi Surya and Mohan, the project has also received extensive backlash from civic groups and urban mobility experts who have flagged serious concerns including direct contravention to sustainable transportation and increased use of private vehicles leading to more traffic congestion.

“The Bengaluru Tunnel Road project is yet another instance of Congress Govt systematically destroying public transport in the city. From the word go, the Hebbal–SilkBoard tunnel idea is beset with problems,” Tejasvi Surya stated on X on June 22.

P C Mohan pointed out that tunnel roads pose a threat to 10,000 trees in Bengaluru, which has already lost over 33,000 trees in a decade.

“Bengaluru sits on over 75% hard gneiss rock, more than 2.5 billion years old and extremely difficult to drill. A 30-meter-deep tunnel requires massive excavation through dense bedrock, making the tunnel project geologically unviable, technically risky, and economically unsound,” he added.

Earlier this month, the State Cabinet approved the construction of Bengaluru’s twin-tube tunnel road project between Hebbal and Silk Board Junction under the Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model, clearing the way for toll-based road usage. The concession period has been set at 30 years, during which the selected private players will recover their investment through toll collection. The detailed project report has estimated a toll of Rs 330 for a distance of 16.6 km.

The report also highlights tolls for subsequent years which are to be calculated on the basis of a 5 per cent annual increase in the wholesale price index with a 40 per cent restriction. The base year for the toll revenue is FY 2030-31.

Upgradation of the Kunigal section of NH 75

Meanwhile, Kumaraswamy also sought Gadkari’s support for a series of key infrastructure projects aimed at improving road connectivity and safety in Karnataka. Among the proposals was the upgradation of the Kunigal section of National Highway 75 to enhance traffic flow and safety. He also urged the Centre to declare the existing State Highway No. 8, which runs from Channarayapatna to Makuta, as a new National Highway. Further, he pressed for the expansion of National Highway 150A into a four-lane road between Jewargi and Shorapur.

Kumaraswamy called for permanent solutions along several critical ghat sections to address issues related to landslides and connectivity in the hilly terrain. These include the Shirur Ghat stretch of NH-66 in Ankola taluk, the Shiradi Ghat section along the Hassan–Sakaleshpur–Mangaluru route of NH-75, and the Bargi Ghat area near Kumta, which are all prone to frequent disruptions during the monsoon.

Need for a flyover near Jogihalli in Tumkur district

He also highlighted the need for a new flyover near Jogihalli in Kallambella Hobli of Sira Taluk in Tumkur district to ease traffic congestion and improve access in the region.

Focusing on his home constituency of Mandya, Kumaraswamy sought support for the construction of a southern bypass (ring road) for Mandya city to relieve traffic congestion and improve commuting efficiency. He requested Gadkari’s ministry to expedite the approval for a proposed bypass road to Pandavapura town, connecting via NH-150A, for which the Detailed Project Report is currently being prepared.

Besides, he urged the minister to set up two railway overbridges — LC-64 near Gejjala Gere Gate in Maddur and LC-97 in Srirangapatna — to improve road safety and support local development. He said the infrastructure would boost local tourism and agricultural logistics in the region.