To ease congestion in North Bengaluru, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has announced a 1.5-kilometre urban tunnel connecting Nagavara to the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS). The proposed tunnel, which will also pass through Esteem Mall, is expected to bolster intra-city connectivity and support sustainable urban mobility in a rapidly growing metropolitan landscape.
This infrastructure initiative, being planned independently of the larger tunnel corridor under discussion, reflects the city’s urgent need to address high-density traffic near key junctions. The project aims to provide a seamless transit solution for commuters travelling between the airport corridor and inner-city routes, especially those caught in bottlenecks near Hebbal.
While the full project design and timelines are yet to be finalised, authorities emphasise that this intervention is part of a broader, climate-conscious urban planning framework. With the emphasis now on eco-friendly construction models, officials are expected to incorporate sustainable tunnelling methods that minimise environmental disruption while addressing the mobility needs of a swelling urban population.
The tunnel’s announcement comes on the sidelines of a site inspection of the under-construction Hebbal flyover loop. The loop, which connects KR Puram to the central parts of the city, is now slated for opening before 15 August, depending on scheduling approvals. This new loop is part of the Bangalore Development Authority’s (BDA) larger urban decongestion plan and is designed to facilitate smoother transitions for airport-bound vehicles entering the core city zones.
Launched in 2024, the flyover loop project was initially targeted for completion by October of the same year. However, multiple delays owing to administrative bottlenecks and ground-level execution challenges pushed the deadline further. Once operational, this loop is expected to significantly reduce pressure on the Hebbal interchange, one of the city’s most critical traffic nodes. While commuters may have to wait a little longer for the airport service road loop to become operational, the immediate opening of the KR Puram loop and the newly proposed tunnel signal a much-needed shift toward infrastructure that prioritises ease of movement, carbon reduction, and equitable access.
Urban mobility experts have welcomed the tunnel plan, calling it a forward-thinking measure to counter the city’s infrastructure lag. However, they caution that execution speed, sustainable construction, and public transparency will be key to ensuring that the project delivers real value to Bengaluru’s residents.
