Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is preparing to float global tenders for the construction of a six-lane, 16.745-km twin underground tunnel road connecting Hebbal’s Esteem Mall Junction to Silk Board Junction. Estimated at Rs 17,780 crore, this infrastructure project aims to decongest key arterial roads in Bengaluru by creating a subterranean north-south corridor.

The project, approved by the state Cabinet, will be executed in two packages: Package 1 (Esteem Mall to Seshadri Road) and Package 2 (Seshadri Road to Silk Board), each spanning around 8.7 km. The twin tunnels, totaling approximately 33.5 km, will be developed under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) model. BBMP will contribute 40 percent of the cost as viability gap funding (VGF), and toll collection rights will be granted to the concessionaire for 30 years. Tunneling will use eight tunnel boring machines (TBMs), with excavation expected to take 26 months, followed by 12 months for civil work.

A toll of Rs 19 per km is proposed from 2029-30. Only four-wheelers will be allowed, and restrictions on two-wheelers are under consideration. The DPR was prepared by Rodic Consultants and approved by the government.