Bengaluru 18-Km Tunnel Road From Hebbal to Silk Board: Errors In Traffic Data Cast Doubt On DPR Accuracy

Bengaluru's civic body, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), has found itself embroiled in controversy errors were discovered in a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for an ambitious underground tunnel project. The report by Rodic Consultants Private Limited, a New Delhi-based firm, proposed a tunnel from Hebbal Esteem Mall Junction to Silk Board Junction with the intention of easing traffic congestion and reducing travel times. The project, valued at ₹9.5 crore, was completed in a remarkably short span of three months. However, the executive summary of the DPR mistakenly included traffic data from Malegaon and Nashik in Maharashtra rather than from Bengaluru.

Adding to the scrutiny, BBMP has engaged Altinok Consulting for an additional feasibility study of the same corridor, costing ₹4.7 crore. This decision follows the release of Bengaluru Metro's own DPR for the Hebbal-Sarjapur corridor, which took a year to prepare and was budgeted at ₹1.5 crore. The tunnel, offering a significant reduction in travel time from 90 to 20 minutes between Hebbal and Silk Board Junction, is envisaged to have three entry and exit ramps to aid in traffic management across major areas like Mekhri Circle, Racecourse, and Lalbagh.

The inaccuracies in the DPR, particularly the replacement of local traffic data with that from unrelated cities, sparked a considerable backlash on social media. Citizens and activists expressed their dismay and skepticism towards the project's planning accuracy. One user highlighted, “Meticulous planning for TRP Tunnel Road Project. Should we cry or laugh?”, while another commented on the arbitrary nature of numbers used in DPRs and surveys within the state.

Despite the criticisms and challenges faced, the proposed underground tunnel project by the BBMP holds the potential to significantly alleviate traffic congestion in Bengaluru, offering a smoother transit experience across key junctions. As BBMP resolves the discrepancies in the DPR, the project remains a focal point of anticipation for the city's residents, eager for solutions to the enduring issue of traffic jams. The civic body's commitment to investigating the concerns raised ensures that the project, despite its rocky start, is steered back on course towards enhancing Bengaluru's urban infrastructure.