Karnataka Government to Acquire Hebbal Land for Bengaluru Tunnel Road Project, Confirms DK Shivakumar

In a renewed push to ease Bengaluru’s chronic traffic congestion, Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister DK Shivakumar announced that the state government will move ahead with acquiring land in Hebbal for the proposed tunnel road project.

Shivakumar made the statement following a meeting with Industries Minister MB Patil at Vidhana Soudha on Monday. He emphasized that the government intends to proceed with both the Metro expansion and the tunnel road project, describing Hebbal as “an important junction” in the city’s traffic network.

He further explained that the land acquisition process — involving both civilian and defence-owned properties — would be undertaken using options such as Transferable Development Rights (TDR) and Floor Area Ratio (FAR) incentives. The government is also preparing to issue tenders for the project.

Project Details

The ambitious tunnel road proposal includes two key corridors: a North-South link connecting Esteem Mall in Hebbal to Central Silk Board, and an East-West corridor from KR Puram to Mysuru Road. The overall project is expected to cost approximately ₹42,000 crore.

The first phase — an 18-kilometre stretch between Hebbal and Central Silk Board — is estimated at ₹17,000 crore and will feature three entry and three exit points. To integrate the tunnel road with NH-7 and NH-14, the state government plans to collaborate with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

To finance the mega project, the government has proposed taking a ₹19,000 crore loan, with the state providing a guarantee to cover the entire cost.

Opposition Raises Concerns

The proposal to acquire 45 acres of land in Hebbal for the tunnel road has faced opposition. Bengaluru South MP PC Mohan argued that the land should instead be allocated to Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL), highlighting its strategic importance for the city’s expanding mass transit infrastructure.

“The Centre has already approved the land transfer, and BMRCL is prepared to pay ₹551.15 crore. The state must prioritise public transport over private interests,” Mohan posted on X.

He also raised concerns about delays in the city’s Metro projects. While the Yellow Line is reportedly ready, its launch has been delayed due to pending train procurement. Meanwhile, the Pink Line is unlikely to be operational before 2026, and the Blue Line connecting the city to the airport is now expected by 2027.