World's longest road tunnel not enough! Bengaluru mulls another 1.5-km Hebbal tunnel, flyover coming soon too
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Bengaluru is poised for another major infrastructure upgrade as the city plans to open a new loop at the Hebbal flyover and simultaneously considers a new 1.5-km tunnel road proposal. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar recently announced plans for a dedicated tunnel connecting Esteem Mall to the Veterinary College in Hebbal. The project is aimed at tackling the notorious traffic congestion in and around the Hebbal junction, a critical bottleneck for commuters traveling between North Bengaluru and the city center.This proposed tunnel is distinct from the ongoing 16.75-km tunnel road from Hebbal Junction to Silk Board, which is touted to be one of the longest urban road tunnels in India. While that larger project is being developed under Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Limited (B-SMILE), the shorter 1.5-km tunnel will be executed independently by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA). The tunnel will connect important nodes such as Nagawara, Esteem Mall, and the Agricultural University.According to BBMP Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao, the proposal will soon be presented before the state cabinet. There are also discussions around possibly integrating the new tunnel with the broader Hebbal–Silk Board tunnel network to streamline execution.However, not everyone is convinced. BJP MP Tejasvi Surya has voiced strong criticism of the city's tunnel-focused solutions, warning that Bengaluru should not repeat the mistakes of other global cities. "Even Singapore scrapped similar mega tunnel plans after realizing they were costly, unsustainable, and ineffective at easing congestion," Surya noted, urging policymakers to consider more sustainable alternatives.Meanwhile, commuters may soon see relief with the opening of one of the newly constructed loops on the Hebbal flyover. This loop, which will channel traffic from Nagawara toward the city, is expected to open before August 15, pending the Chief Minister's availability. A second loop, connecting the airport service road, is also in the pipeline.Shivakumar recently inspected the site and even took a ride on the under-construction Yellow Line Metro, signaling progress on multiple fronts. In a tweet, he said, "The Hebbal flyover loop is set to open, easing traffic congestion and ensuring smoother and faster commutes as part of our government's commitment to building a better Bengaluru."The urgency behind these projects is underscored by recent data showing that the average one-way commute in Bengaluru has increased by 16% over the past year. In 2024, it took 54 minutes to cover an average city commute; by mid-2025, that number has jumped to 63 minutes for the same 19-km distance.
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