Work Begins on ₹1,130-Crore Hebbal Tunnel Linking Hebbal Junction to KVAFSU

Preliminary construction work has officially commenced on the State government's short twin tunnel project connecting Hebbal Junction to the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU) in Hebbal. The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) confirmed that basic ground works have started for the 2.2-kilometre project, which is estimated to cost over ₹1,130 crore and is slated for completion within two years.

The project is moving forward despite facing sustained criticism and opposition from civic groups and urban planning activists. Detractors have described the short tunnel as an expensive and unnecessary intervention that is unlikely to address Bengaluru’s traffic congestion problems in the long run. In response to the backlash, the State government defended the initiative, citing extensive consultations conducted with a private traffic consultant as well as the Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP).

According to officials from the BDA, the three-lane twin tunnel will be constructed using the cut-and-cover method. The infrastructure project will be fully funded by the BDA and will not levy any toll fees on commuters using the route. The development contract for the tunnel was awarded in May to Hyderabad-based firm Rithwik Projects Private Limited, which emerged as the lowest bidder with a quoted price of ₹1,139 crore.

A key clearance for the project was granted by the Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (KTCDA), which approved the transfer of 13,944 square metres—or 3.45 acres—of land situated within Hebbal Lake. This parcel of land will be used to construct a critical section of the proposed tunnel running between Hebbal Junction and the staff quarters of the University of Agricultural Sciences.

While approving the land transfer within the lake area, the KTCDA accepted an official assessment concluding that the project would not reduce the water storage capacity of Hebbal Lake. The authority noted that specific engineering measures will be adopted during the construction phase to ensure that there is no adverse impact on the hydrology or storage capacity of the lake.