Tunnel Road: ₹750 crore per KM, Tender in January

Tunnel Road: ₹750 crore per KM, Tender in January

• Tunnel Road (First Phase)
•  18 km long From Hebbal to silk board 
•  ₹750 crore Cost per km tunnel road
•  January 2025 Tender invitation for construction of tunnel road

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

BENGALURU: The BBMP plans to invite tenders for the Tunnel project in January, intending to use Chinese tunnel boring machines (TBMs) to construct a tunnel road in the city. Also, the project cost is also high.

 There is a plan to construct a six-lane tunnel road from Hebbal to Silk Board, in which two roads have been decided to be reserved for BMTC buses.  Only electric buses are allowed to ply. Also, it is planned to build commercial purpose stores, malls, multi-storied parking buildings.

 It was earlier estimated that one km of tunnel road would cost ₹450 crore. However, according to the DPR completed by BBMP in three months, one km tunnel road will cost ₹600 crore to ₹750 crore.

 The tunnel road project requires about 56 acres of land acquisition, of which 50 per cent of the land will be reused. Along with the commercial purpose, it is considered to be used for the beautification of the tunnel road.

 It has been decided to implement the project in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and the plan has been made so that 70% of the cost will be borne by private contractors. BBMP plans to get the remaining 30% from financial institutions, said BBMP officials.

The relationship between India and China is improving and plans are being made to import TBMs directly from China. Chinese TBMs have been used instead of European TBMs, the cost of the project will be reduced by 10%. We have decided to start this project in six months," said Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar told Prajavani.

 The Detailed Project Report (DPR) is ready and it has been decided to call for tenders in January. The tunnel road is planned to be built on a world scale in such a way that everyone will be amazed. All kinds of facilities will be provided on this road," said BBMP Principal Engineer B.S. Prahlad said.

 'Point' for entry-exit

 The North-South Tunnel Road Corridor will start from the front of Hebbal Lake and will go up to the Central Silk Board. Entry and exit of vehicles will be allowed in front of the lake. After this, a 'point' for exit and entry of vehicles will be constructed near Hebbal Veterinary Hospital. A 'point' is currently planned to be constructed near Mekhri Circle Palace Grounds, Golf Grounds and Maharani College, Lal Bagh. It is intended to provide entry and exit on Sarjapur Road and Outer Ring Road side.