The Karnataka state cabinet has approved a ₹2,215-crore infrastructure project that includes a short tunnel at Hebbal Junction and a 1.27-km elevated corridor at Mehkri Circle. The proposal, submitted by the Urban Development Department (UDD), aims to ease traffic congestion across one of Bengaluru’s busiest stretches.
According to the UDD, widening the existing Hebbal–Mehkri stretch has become challenging due to land-acquisition hurdles. As a result, the government has opted for a combination of a 2.27-km cut-and-cover twin tunnel and a bi-directional elevated road connecting to the proposed East–West corridor with a rotary and up-and-down ramps.
Government briefing notes indicate that the tunnel is expected to significantly reduce traffic pressure for residents in Sanjaynagar, RT Nagar, Ganganagar and Ashwathnagar. Once completed, the route will accommodate better traffic dispersal and reduce dependence on the existing carriageway. The UDD has stated that the new infrastructure is projected to reduce congestion on the corridor by nearly 40%, based on internal assessments.
The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) will oversee execution of the Hebbal–Mehkri Circle tunnel project. Rodic Consultants has been appointed to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR), while Bengaluru Smart-Infra B-SMILE will coordinate supporting works with other civic agencies.
The Finance Department had initially raised concerns regarding project cost, bottleneck risk, and preferred design methodology. Following multiple rounds of clarification, the cabinet approved the revised proposal, which integrates the elevated corridor with the East–West project and includes the required land from Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University.
Officials clarified that the project aims to provide long-term mobility relief while improving structural integration across major traffic nodes. With this approval, work is expected to move into tendering and further technical evaluation stages.
Also Read: Sadahalli Underpass Work Set to Begin by January; Airport Road to Become Signal-Free
