The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has invited bids for the preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a second tunnel road between KR Puram and Nayandahalli, spanning 28 km. This move comes amid ongoing criticism from environmentalists, urban mobility experts, and civic groups against the proposed 18 km twin-tube tunnel road from Hebbal to Silk Board. 

The new tunnel road is proposed along a route already served by the Purple Line of Bengaluru Metro (Whitefield-Challaghatta via KR Puram and Nayandahalli). Additionally, BBMP has sought DPR bids for multiple elevated corridors, including those between KR Puram and Yeshwantpur, Konanakunte Cross and Banashankari, Ragigudda and Thalaghattapura, Old Madras Road and Madiwala, Nagawara and Bagalur, Hennur and Bagalur, Tannery Road and Nagawara, West of Chord Road and Nandini Layout, as well as an additional link road to Kempegowda International Airport. 

These projects are part of the final feasibility study under the Comprehensive Bengaluru City Traffic Management Infrastructure Plan, prepared by Altinok Consulting Engineering. The study proposes a 170-km network of tunnels, double-decker tunnels, elevated corridors, and underpasses to reduce congestion. It outlines 16 elevated corridors and two tunnels, with the total length of elevated infrastructure covering 124.7 km and tunnel corridors spanning 46 km. The estimated cost for these projects is Rs 549.64 billion. 

The proposed KR Puram-Nayandahalli tunnel is expected to be a double-decker system with three lanes on the lower deck and two on the upper deck. The 28 km East-West corridor will feature a key intersection at Lalbagh Botanical Garden, where metro lines and tunnel corridors will meet. The estimated cost for this tunnel corridor is around Rs 89.13 billion. 

Critics argue that these tunnel roads and elevated corridors were not included in the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) of 2020 and are urging the government to prioritise sustainable public transport solutions over large-scale road infrastructure projects. 

(The Indian Express)