The Karnataka government’s proposed tunnel road project between Hebbal and Silk Board has sparked widespread debate among citizens and urban experts. The 16.7 km twin-tube tunnel, estimated to cost ₹8,476 crore, aims to ease traffic congestion by connecting North and South Bengaluru through an underground expressway.
The tunnel will begin near Hebbal and end at Silk Board — one of the city’s most gridlocked corridors — promising to cut travel time from over an hour to around 15–20 minutes. However, the plan comes with significant concerns.
According to a Scroll.in report, the project will be developed through a public-private partnership, with tolls estimated at ₹19 per km, making it one of the most expensive road projects in India. Two-wheelers, autos, and buses are likely to be excluded, limiting its benefits to car users.
For South Bengaluru commuters, especially those traveling from areas like BTM Layout, HSR Layout, and Electronic City, the project could offer faster northbound connectivity. However, the high toll cost, environmental risks, and limited accessibility for non-car users could deepen transport inequality.
Experts argue that improving public transport and Metro connectivity would be a more inclusive solution than investing heavily in a car-centric tunnel. Environmentalists have also raised alarms about possible damage to Lalbagh, lake networks, and the city’s fragile rock bed.
While the tunnel promises speed, it may ultimately widen Bengaluru’s mobility divide.
The tunnel will begin near Hebbal and end at Silk Board — one of the city’s most gridlocked corridors — promising to cut travel time from over an hour to around 15–20 minutes. However, the plan comes with significant concerns.
According to a Scroll.in report, the project will be developed through a public-private partnership, with tolls estimated at ₹19 per km, making it one of the most expensive road projects in India. Two-wheelers, autos, and buses are likely to be excluded, limiting its benefits to car users.
For South Bengaluru commuters, especially those traveling from areas like BTM Layout, HSR Layout, and Electronic City, the project could offer faster northbound connectivity. However, the high toll cost, environmental risks, and limited accessibility for non-car users could deepen transport inequality.
Experts argue that improving public transport and Metro connectivity would be a more inclusive solution than investing heavily in a car-centric tunnel. Environmentalists have also raised alarms about possible damage to Lalbagh, lake networks, and the city’s fragile rock bed.
While the tunnel promises speed, it may ultimately widen Bengaluru’s mobility divide.
