Latest news with #BengaluruSmartInfrastructureLtd
Deccan Herald
18-07-2025
- Business
- Deccan Herald
Tunnel road: 5 landmarks may see digging
Though the Rs 17,698-crore project — connecting Central Silk Board and Hebbal — is completely an underground road, the Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (B-SMILE) has identified five key locations for launching the tunnel boring machines (TBMs).
New Indian Express
24-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Tunnel road will be 120 ft below ground, says B-SMILE director
BENGALURU: The 16.68 km tunnel road between Central Silk Board and Hebbal near Esteem Mall will be built 120 ft below the ground. Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (B-SMILE), a special purpose vehicle created to execute big-ticket projects in the city, will start the tender process for the much-debated project in a day or two. B-SMILE Director BS Prahallad said advanced tunnel boring machines will be used for the work. The toll for the road has been fixed at Rs 19 per kilometre. But the toll could vary because of inflation and project cost. 'The work is expected to be completed within four years. But everything depends on geological factors. Homes and other structures on the surface will be safe,' he said. On groundwater supply and borewell points getting impacted due to tunnelling, he said the government has given permission for owners to dig borewells and it does not mean they have a right over it as it still belongs to the government. 'Some borewell points may be impacted,' he added. Tenders will be called in two packages and files have already been sent to the Finance Department. 'The government gave the approval on June 9 and tendering will begin in a day or two,' he said. The cost of the project is estimated to be Rs 42,000 crore, which will include Rs 800 crore for acquiring land. Experts worried about tunnel road impact Bengaluru Central MP PC Mohan, in his social media post, lashed out at the Congress government. He posted, 'Toll for cars on the tunnel may reach Rs 330. Autos and two-wheelers aren't allowed. Rs 7,100 cr subsidy plus Rs 10,700 cr loans, all from public funds. Congestion at exits and rising pollution are inevitable. Why fund a 16.75 km tunnel that serves no one at such a high public cost?'
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Karnataka government approves B-Smile creation for Bengaluru's Rs 7,000-crore infrastructure push
Bengaluru: The govt has approved the creation of Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (B-Smile), a special-purpose vehicle (SPV) tasked with executing major infrastructure projects in the city. The SPV will begin operations with an initial corpus of Rs 7,000 crore, a sum already committed in the state budget. As per the memorandum of association (MoA), the govt will hold a 90% stake in the entity, while the remaining 10% will be allocated to BBMP. The new entity is expected to be headquartered in Vasanth Nagar, about 4km from BBMP's head office. The SPV has been empowered to take up not just govt-funded initiatives but also infrastructure projects supported either wholly or partly by private sector investments. "The entity will oversee the construction of 40km tunnel roads criss-crossing the heart of Bengaluru, a citywide network of flyovers and underpasses, new roads along the buffer zones of stormwater drains (rajakaluves), and a proposed 250-metre skydeck — all considered pet projects of deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar," explained a senior BBMP official. BBMP, which is set to be restructured into smaller corporations, will cede control over several major infrastructure initiatives. The jurisdiction of the new entity will extend across Bengaluru Urban district. According to officials, the govt will give authority to the SPV to collaborate with or financially support other entities. This clause could allow it to bypass certain provisions of Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act. The SPV will be overseen by a 10-member board. It will include a full-time CEO who will be an IAS officer, along with Bengaluru mayor, BDA commissioner, BWSSB chairman, BBMP's engineer-in-chief, a woman with expertise in infrastructure development and management, and two independent expert members. The additional chief secretary of the urban development department will serve as the board's chairman, while the chief commissioner of BBMP will function as managing director. "While BBMP continues to manage day-to-day road maintenance, including pothole repairs, the new entity is structured to implement long-term, high-impact infrastructure solutions. The primary focus is to enhance mobility across the city," the official said.
