Karnataka launches toll-free Mehkri-Hebbal Twin tunnel to ease Bengaluru traffic

Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar launched Bengaluru's 2.5-km Mehkri Circle-Hebbal twin tunnel road project, assuring it will be toll-free. He said the initiative aims to ease traffic congestion and forms part of a ₹1.5 lakh crore long-term infrastructure development plan

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday sought to allay apprehensions over the proposed Mehkri Circle-Hebbal tunnel road project.

He said the 2.5-km twin tunnel being built by the BDA would be toll-free and aimed at easing traffic congestion in the city. Speaking after laying the foundation stone for the three-lane twin tunnel road from Mehkri Circle to Hebbal Junction, Shivakumar said the project was part of the government’s long-term vision to improve Bengaluru’s infrastructure and reduce travel time for commuters.

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“This will be a 2.5-km cut-and-cover tunnel, and it will be toll-free. The Bengaluru Development Authority is undertaking the project using its own resources and funds,” he said.

The CM said Hebbal had become the gateway to Bengaluru, and the tunnel would provide significant relief to traffic congestion in the area.

He added that the government was planning for the next 50 years and working to transform people’s lives through infrastructure development.

Shivakumar said a proposal had also been submitted for a 17-km tunnel road from Hebbal to Silk Board Junction, which, he said, could be completed in three to four years.

“Saving people’s time is important. People should be able to finish work by evening and return home early. We are doing whatever is necessary to achieve that,” he said.

He said Bengaluru had a population of 1.4 crore and around 1.35 crore vehicles, making major infrastructure investments essential. Referring to the Opposition’s criticism of the proposed expenditure on garbage management, Shivakumar dismissed allegations of corruption, saying no tenders had yet been finalised.

“The more they criticise us, the more careful we must be. We welcome their criticism,” he said. Taking a swipe at the BJP and JD(S), the CM said the parties had failed to undertake development works while in office and were now targeting the Congress government.

Shivakumar said the decision to create five municipal corporations to reduce the administrative burden on Bengaluru had been taken after consulting Opposition leaders.

He accused them of criticising the move despite having earlier supported similar urban expansion initiatives. Highlighting the government’s development agenda, he said projects worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore had been planned for Bengaluru.

He added that the government was also protecting land and property records, with property documents set to be issued to 30-40 lakh families under the supervision of Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda. The CM said criticism of the government would fade, but its development works would endure.

He cited the swift response to the Tungabhadra dam gate failure and recent efforts to advance inter-state water cooperation on the Tungabhadra and Godavari-Cauvery river-linking projects.

Referring to the recent Kempegowda Jayanti celebrations, Shivakumar said the planting of 15 lakh saplings under the Green Bengaluru campaign had earned a place in the Guinness World Records.

He credited the achievement to ministers, officials, students, organisations and the public.