Mumbai, July 3 -- Chief Minister DK Shivakumar will lay the foundation stone for the Tunnel Road project on Sunday, which is intended to link Hebbal with Silk Board and is presented as a remedy for Bengaluru's congestion. The overall scheme is projected to cost over Rs 170 billion (Rs 170 bn), and the foundation ceremony will include a bhoomi pooja for the short tunnel phase between Hebbal junction and the University of Agricultural Sciences at Rs 11.39 billion (Rs 11.39 bn). The event is being held amid wide public and political opposition.
The transport minister and Hebbal MLA stated that the two-point-one-eight kilometre short tunnel will ease traffic on the stretch between Mekhri Circle and Hebbal Junction. A private agency has been awarded the tender and completed soil testing near the UAS staff quarters and surrounding areas. The tunnel alignment is planned to lie about sixty feet below the surface and will be configured as a six-lane thoroughfare.
Each lane will be three-point-five metres wide and the total short tunnel stretch is two-point-two-two-eight kilometres, linking Hebbal Junction to UAS staff quarters. The short tunnel phase has been estimated at Rs 11.39 bn and a completion period of 18 months has been fixed. Authorities have emphasised that no private land acquisition will be required for this section and contractors have been directed to meet the schedule.
The minister noted that traffic snarls on the Hebbal stretch had impeded journeys to the airport and observed that rising petrol and diesel prices were inflicting cumulative losses on transport corporations of about Rs 50 bn. He indicated that fare adjustments had been discussed to avoid unduly burdening commuters. He rejected criticism from opposition parties and said the project would deliver benefits to hundreds of thousands of residents.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.