Activists flay tunnel-flyover project for Hebbal-Airport road

Sections of mobility activists have flayed the ₹2,215-crore tunnel flyover project which was recently approved by the State Cabinet to decongest the stretch between Hebbal and Mehkri Circle on the Kempegowda International Airport Road.

They have argued that this was a “messy and costly” solution to a problem that could be solved with simpler ones like widening the service road towards Mehkri Circle. They also said this will mess up Hebbal junction, which will soon be a major public transport hub with metro and suburban rail interchanges, even more. 

However, the state government is resolute on implementing the project. Tushar Giri Nath, Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development Department, recently said that the project will be implemented at any cost. He added that there was no confusion with the twin-tunnel project and both will be implemented. 

H.R. Shantarajanna, member (Engineering), Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), said that the technical details were being worked out and tenders will likely be called in January, 2026. The BDA will likely set a two-year deadline for the work once it begins. “Since work needs to be carried out in such a way that traffic disruptions are minimal, it will take a longer time,” he said. 

The BDA has proposed to build a 2.27-km tunnel starting from the authority’s park next to Hebbal flyover up to Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU) at the other end, and a flyover from there to Mehkri Circle.

The BDA plans to build a rotary interchange at Mehkri Circle with up and down ramps towards Jayamahal Road and Yeshwanthpur. Those going towards Windsor Manor will take the already existing underpass below. Thus, Mehkri Circle will have three levels of traffic. 

Public transport hub 

Urban mobility activist Rajkumar Dugar said that there were six mass mobility projects – four metro lines and two suburban lines – in various stages that will have a direct impact on Hebbal junction.

“The BDA has said it will take two years to build the tunnel-flyover project, which is a very conservative estimate. By the same time, three of these six projects – Blue Line from Silk Board to airport and Pink Line from Bannerghatta Road to Nagawara and Corridor 1 of suburban line between Majestic and airport terminal – will be completed by the end of 2027, by when the tunnel-flyover is unlikely to be commissioned. The Sarjapur – Hebbal Red Line, which is awaiting final approval, will be a game changer,” he said,, adding the tunnel – flyover project was not needed. 

Another mobility expert, Sanjeev Dyamannavar, also a resident of the area said that what was needed was a larger plan to integrate various modes of mobility at Hebbal, which will soon be a major interchange. “For instance, there is no space for parking in the area. The BDA park, where the tunnel is proposed to begin, is the only suitable place available to build a commuter friendly waiting area and a multi-level car parking (MLCP) facility,” he said. “Again, all agencies seem to be working in silos, messing up the Hebbal junction even further,” he added.  

A senior BTP official said that traffic congestion on Hebbal flyover had already reduced by 50% with the new dedicated loop for traffic from ORR, and another loop will ease it further. They argue widening of the service road near Mehkri Circle will resolve the issue. 

Mr. Dugar said apart from that, upgrading alternate roads to the airport via Bagaluru and Budigere in terms of width, quality, camber, footpath, medians, drainage, streetlights and bus stops and improvements to direct road corridor between Kodigehalli and New BEL Road, will decongest the junction effectively. 

Vicious cycle  

Mr. Dugar further argues that the tunnel will not even solve congestion in the area. “In 2.3 Km, this tunnel has four very sharp curves, which will sharply compromise safety and will also result in sharp reduction of average speed. Between the tunnel-end and Mehkri Circle, vehicles will crawl, resulting in gridlocks within the tunnel itself. This fact is indirectly acknowledged by the latest proposal to build a new flyover system to cross Mehkri Circle. With this kind of approach, we are getting into a vicious cycle of adding roads, increasing and shifting congestion and then adding more roads,” he said.