Karnataka Deputy CM, DKS Hopeful Of Easing Bengaluru's Traffic Woes With A 190Km Tunnel| Details

In a bid to alleviate the perpetual traffic woes of Bengaluru, the Karnataka government has unveiled plans for a 190 km tunnel road project. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has announced that the government is set to open public tenders for this endeavor within the next 45 days.

Bengaluru, often dubbed the "Silicon Valley of India," has earned a less flattering title, ranking second globally for traffic congestion according to a report by Dutch location technology specialist, TomTom.

Shivakumar shared details of the tunnel road proposal on Thursday, 5th October, stating, "A 190 km long tunnel road has been proposed to ease traffic congestion in Bengaluru, and eight firms have qualified for the project. These firms will submit a feasibility report, and public tenders will be rolled out within 45 days."

The companies selected for this undertaking will craft a comprehensive report outlining the tunnel's specifications, features and design including the number of lanes (whether it should be a four-lane or six-lane structure), and its proposed starting and ending points within the city, with the primary goal of alleviating traffic congestion in as many areas as possible.

Shivakumar also highlighted that once the project reports are submitted, the state government will present the final proposal to the central government. He expressed his satisfaction with a prior discussion on the project with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari saying, ""I have already met and discussed the plan with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. Vehicles arrive in Bengaluru through the National Highway and cause traffic congestion. He also gave me advice and responded positively," as per media reports.

Project Overview:

The tunnel road will span 190 km and will connect critical areas such as Bellary Road, Miller Road, Esteem Mall Junction to Mekhri Circle, Old Madras Road, Chalukya Circle, Sarjapur Road, Hosur Road, Trinity Circle, Kanakapura Road to Krishna Rao Park, Magadi Road, Mysore Road to Sirsi Circle, Tumakuru Road to Yeshwantpur Junction, Goraguntepalya, Outer Ring Road, Silk Board, and KR Puram areas.

These areas have been strategically prioritized due to their severe traffic congestion issues. The tunnel is expected to have four lanes to accommodate the city's burgeoning vehicular traffic.

Outer Ring Road (ORR) Traffic Woes:

Responding to the recent traffic gridlocks witnessed on the Outer Ring Road, Deputy CM Shivakumar iterated that he engaged with relevant officials and traffic police to expedite solutions. A visit to the Outer Ring Road has been scheduled for 7th October, indicating the government's proactive approach to tackling traffic challenges.

Furthermore, the Deputy CM has also directed the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the city's civic body, to address the issue of potholes promptly. BBMP engineers have been instructed to swiftly repair the potholes identified by traffic police to ensure road safety and prevent any untoward incidents.