East-West Corridor to be expanded; Planned for long-term smooth traffic
6-lane ‘Twin Tube’ Tunnel
Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್
Bengaluru: The East-West Corridor tunnel planned in the second phase under the BBMP is proposed to be constructed as six lanes in a ‘Twin Tube Tunnel’ (double deck).
The feasibility report submitted by Delhi-based Altinoc to implement the ‘Bengaluru Integrated Traffic Management Project’ to reduce traffic congestion and provide infrastructure for maintenance, has explained the benefits of constructing five and six lanes.
From K.R. Pura to Jawaharlal Nehru Park, C.V. The map for constructing the East-West Corridor Tunnel from Raman Hospital, Indiranagar, Domlur, Lalbagh, National College, Chamarajpet, Karyasiddhi Anjaneya Temple to Nice Road Junction near Nayandahalli is ready.
If the ‘Twin Tube Tunnel’ is built as five lanes, there will be two lanes on the top and three lanes on the bottom. It will have a circumference of 15.6 meters, and 4,500 vehicles can ply per hour. It will have one lane for emergencies in case of any road problem. The construction and material costs will be reduced due to the smaller circumference.
If it is built as six lanes, there will be three lanes each on the top and bottom. It will have a circumference of 17.2 meters, and 5,400 vehicles can ply per hour. The larger circumference will provide more area and facilitate facilities. It will have wide lanes for emergency and maintenance, and will be more efficient for safety and operation. The report states that although the construction cost will increase due to the increased circumference, it will be more efficient in terms of capacity and operation.
‘The North-South Corridor Tunnel Road project is being built in three lanes, with separate roads for public buses and emergencies. There is a proposal to build a five- or six-lane twin tube tunnel in the East-West Corridor. If the roads are built wide at the same time, it will be beneficial in the long run,’ said BBMP Engineer in Chief B.S. Prahlad.
- 28.181 km; Tunnel road length from K.R.Pura to Nayandahalli
- ₹899 crore; Tunnel road construction cost per km
- 10.5 meters; Three-lane width on each deck
₹800 crore for land acquisition
About 56 acres of land will be required for the construction of the North-South Corridor Tunnel Road. ₹800 crore has been earmarked for this in the feasibility report. Although it is said that no trees will need to be cut, ₹65 crore has been shown for relocation and landscaping. The total construction cost of the project is ₹11,637 crore, including ₹6,044 crore for the operation of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM). The total cost of the project, including ₹2,094 crore GST, ₹800 crore for land acquisition and other expenses, is ₹14,981 crore.
₹19,000 crore loan: BBMP has decided to mortgage assets to get a loan of ₹19,000 crore from financial institutions for the ‘Bengaluru Twin Tunnel Project’. For this, an ‘Expression of Interest for Capital Investment’ notification has been issued. The period that ended on December 19 has been extended till January 8.
₹16 fee per km
BBMP has a plan to construct a tunnel road (North-South Corridor) from Hebbal to Silk Board in the first phase. It has been estimated that a fee of ₹16 per km will be charged for travelling on the three-lane 18 km long road. The feasibility report given by Altinoc has proposed to collect this fee.
It has been suggested that the number of vehicles plying on the tunnel road by 2031 and 2041 should be reviewed and it is advisable to fix ₹16 per km. Accordingly, if one travels completely in the 18 km long tunnel, one will have to pay ₹288.
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