Bengaluru Tunnel Road: D K Shivakumar Pushes For Hebbal-Silk Board Link Completion In Three Years Despite Opposition

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar reaffirmed on Tuesday (29 January) that the ambitious tunnel road project connecting Hebbal and Silk Board Junction will be completed within three years, despite facing opposition from residents, mobility experts, civic groups, and BJP leaders, including P C Mohan and Tejasvi Surya, reported The Indian Express.

Shivakumar, who also holds the Bengaluru Development portfolio, announced that a tender for the project would be issued by February. “I have given them a deadline of three years to complete the project. The project will be taken up in two phases. The Government and the BBMP will release funds for this project. Many financial institutions have come forward to fund the project,” The Indian Express quoted him as saying.

Responding to objections raised by BJP MP P C Mohan, Shivakumar dismissed concerns about land acquisition. “The tunnel project is below the ground and doesn’t need any additional land,” he clarified.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has completed the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the 16-km tunnel road. Additionally, it has recently invited bids for a DPR for a second tunnel linking KR Puram and Nayandahalli.

Funding for the project is being explored through financial institutions, with HDFC Bank, the Housing and Urban Development Corporation, and the Power Finance Corporation expressing interest in providing viability gap funding to enhance the project’s financial feasibility.

The BBMP is seeking loans amounting to Rs 8,000 crore over the next five years to support the project. The three financial institutions have proposed lending this amount at an annual interest rate of 9-10 per cent with a flexible repayment period. The civic body aims to secure additional funds through a private concessionaire or contractor.