Bengaluru needs urgent solutions to reduce traffic congestion and all its consequences - for which it has become globally infamous - which impact Quality of Life for over 2 Crore people living here & the nearby towns.

The State Government has been talking about making Tunnel Roads - the first 3Km Tunnel is to come up between Mehkri Circle and Hebbal Flyover. The main benefits claimed are: easing of traffic congestion, no tree-cutting, no land acquisition, etc.

The important Questions are:

• Is a Tunnel really required at this stage along this stretch?
• By the time it is ready, will this tunnel be of any use at all?
• Is it worth all the costs, risks, challenges, etc. to save few mins?

 

 

 

 

Let us look at some of the relevant factors vis-a-vis the need, challenges, options, etc.:

1. As far as need is concerned, GoK’s own Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) should have carried out a quick & comprehensive study for this stretch. It is mandated that such new Projects must be taken up with Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA). There is need for public consultation too, especially for such a Project. There is nothing in public domain which suggests these steps have been taken. 

2. Congestion is not seen along the length of this 3Km stretch, but mainly at the 2 ends – Hebbal Flyover & Mehkri Circle – more in the direction of City from Airport (North to South). Construction of a new Ramp adjacent to Hebbal Flyover – started last year – will significantly improve the situation when completed. 

3. Presently, the 3Kms Road between Hebbal Flyover & Mehkri Circle is quite wide. Also, it has service roads on both sides as well as 3 underpasses for traffic to cross over. It is also 100% signal-free.

4. Tunnel Road Project will encourage private vehicles – more cars, 2-wheelers, etc. Bengaluru already has almost as many vehicles as people. This is not sustainable and must be reversed. The only practical solution is to drastically & quickly improve Public Transport (PT) so as to FREE THE ROADS.

5. Being major route to/from Airport, this route is highly sensitive to any disruptions. During construction, for 3-4 years, there will be severe traffic disruption especially at the 2 ends & at other entry/exit points and the nearby areas.

6. All tunnels carry their own risks both during and after construction, including damage to structures, services getting affected during construction due to break in cables & pipes, accidents, water table going down, fire, flooding, landslides, challenging access to fire & ambulance vehicles in case of emergencies inside the Tunnel, etc.

7. Tunnel may have exact opposite of intended impact by adding to the present congestion at entry/exit points.

8. Maximum traffic on this stretch is due to commute to/from Airport, which is 100% road-centric at present. BMRCL is building Metro to Airport which GoK has itself claimed to be ready by 2026. Tunnel road will take at least 3-4 years AFTER work starts. Metro to Airport will lead to reduction in traffic on this stretch, leading to redundancy of the Tunnel.

9. In addition, KRIDE is building a dedicated Suburban Rail Airport Corridor from the heart of the City (Majestic) to Airport Terminal and which GoK has itself claimed will be ready by 2027. This will lead to significant reduction in road traffic on the “tunnel” stretch, leading to further redundancy.

10. Presently, it takes average 6-7 mins to cover 3 Kms between Hebbal Flyover & Mehkri Circle (See diagram & note below). By 2027, with lesser traffic due to Metro, Suburban Rail to Airport, etc., it will take lesser time to cross this distance by present road. Via Tunnel – there will be speed restrictions inside the Tunnel – it will take 3-4 mins. Depending on how the Entries/Exits are designed, even this gain of 2-3mins may be lost!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11. KRIDE is presently building a new Suburban Rail Corridor between Baiyyappanahalli & Chikka Banavara via HEBBAL & Yeshvantpura. This too will help reduce traffic on “Tunnel route” (see next point).

12. A new major Multi-modal Hub will come up next to Hebbal Flyover with Metro, Suburban Rail & BMTC Bus Stations with suitable interchanges, which will lead to less traffic on “Tunnel route”.

13. This 3Km Tunnel will cost Rs. 1500 Cr (initial estimate, as per GoK) – likely to be much higher. We can get significant benefits using these funds in other more urgent Projects. E.g., with Rs. 1500 Crores, Bengaluru can get about 5000 battery buses (30-seaters) which can bring huge relief across the City. 

14. Further, State Government has approved a new Metro Line from Sarjapura to Hebbal which coincidentally will pass exactly along the very same path as this Tunnel, making the tunnel almost completely redundant. 

15. With Tunnel work, Metro construction along same stretch will face additional challenges. 

16. Due to environmental restrictions from National Green Tribunal even to construct over-ground near Hebbal Lake, making a Tunnel near the Lake will entail additional challenges. 

17. Tunnel will most likely have a Toll – which means only those who are willing to pay the toll, to save 2-3mins, will use it. This will make it a non-inclusive mode of commute.

18. In fact, due to low patronage, it does not make business-sense for anyone to initially invest in this redundant project. 

19. Entire money spent on this will ultimately have to be borne by you and me, directly or indirectly.

20. Tunnels are unsuitable for Bengaluru’s vehicle-mix: almost 70% 2-wheelers and remaining being 3 & 4+-wheelers. 

So, the 3 Kms stretch from Mehkri Circle to Hebbal Flyover, (1) which presently has a wide road with Service Roads and underpasses & is signal-free, will also have (2) a Metro exactly along the same alignment. Add to that (3) the Metro line going to Airport from Hebbal, (4) the Airport Corridor of Suburban Rail, and (5) the Multi-modal Commute Hub with interchanges, adjacent to Hebbal Flyover, etc.

All these should be in place by 2027-28 – well before the Tunnel is ready!! 

In the best case scenario, even if the 3Km Tunnel is used, it may save 2-3 minutes with toll getting deducted automatically. For a fraction of the amount spent on this Project, a single lane added to the Airport to City side of Hebbal Flyover (this work is happening at snail’s pace & must be executed on war-footing) will help a lot more. Low-hanging fruit.

We specifically request the Government of Karnataka to immediately drop the Tunnel Roads project permanently and focus on quick & drastic improvements to Public Transport (Bus, Metro & Suburban Rail) so as to help free the roads. 

What we need are steps to: 

(1) Dis-incentivize large-scale ownership & use of private vehicles 

(2) Effective, Efficient & Extensive PT modes 

(3) Seamless walkability at least 500m around every Metro & Sub Rail Station 

(4) Comprehensive BMTC Feeder system for every Metro & Suburban Rail Station  

(5) Safe cyclability 

(6) Flat Raised Pedestrian Crossings wherever required. 

(7) Projects in hand – like the languishing Ejipura Flyover – must be completed on priority.

(8) Better end-to-end drainage system & rainwater pits to reduce flooding & to raise water table.

PLEASE drop the Tunnels. Immediately. Dhanyavaadagalu.