Bengaluru Airport To Get Rs 16,500 Crore Eastern Connectivity Tunnel, To Reduce Traffic Congestion

Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) is set to benefit from a major infrastructure project—an Eastern Connectivity Tunnel designed to significantly reduce travel times for passengers from the city’s eastern regions.

The tunnel will connect key areas such as Whitefield, Sarjapur, and Mahadevapura directly to the airport, cutting travel times by up to 30 minutes.

Part of Bangalore International Airport Limited’s (BIAL) Rs 16,500 crore expansion plan, the tunnel aims to support Bengaluru’s rapidly growing aviation sector.

According to a report by The Indian Express, the new route will bypass the heavily congested Hebbal flyover, diverting nearly 30 per cent of airport-bound traffic and easing city-wide congestion.

Construction of the Eastern Connectivity Tunnel is expected to commence this year, with completion targeted within three years. The project is anticipated to provide a much-needed alternative route for passengers traveling from the eastern state highway, reducing bottlenecks and enhancing the overall commuting experience.

BIAL’s CEO, Hari Marar, emphasised the tunnel’s role in improving traffic flow and providing a reliable, faster route to the airport. In addition to the tunnel, BIAL is pursuing other major upgrades, including two new metro stations, taxiway enhancements, and the construction of Terminal 3 to accommodate the growing passenger demand. KIA is projected to handle up to 85 million passengers annually by 2030-32, surpassing earlier forecasts.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar recently affirmed the state’s commitment to tackling Bengaluru’s traffic woes. Speaking about the broader underground tunnel project, Shivakumar announced that construction will start in the first half of 2025, with the aim of decongesting the city and streamlining vehicular movement.

“Even after metro operations, traffic congestion has persisted. The underground tunnel project will be a game-changer, solving many of Bengaluru’s traffic problems,” Shivakumar stated.

With the Eastern Connectivity Tunnel as a cornerstone of its expansion, KIA is set to become a more accessible and efficient transit hub. This initiative, coupled with broader city infrastructure projects, marks a significant step toward alleviating Bengaluru’s notorious traffic issues while meeting the demands of its burgeoning population and economy.