BDA calls tenders for tunnel-flyover between Hebbal and Mehkri Circle, project to cost ₹1,655 crore now

The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has called tenders for the short tunnel–rotary flyover project between Hebbal and Mehkri Circle.

The Karnataka cabinet had recently approved the project at an estimated cost of ₹2,215 crore. However, BDA has brought in some changes to the alignment of the project and the estimated cost has now come down to ₹1,655 crore, as quoted in the tender documents. BDA will bear the cost of the entire project from its own finances.

The project involves building a 2.25 km short tunnel from Hebbal junction (below the flyover and the railway line) to Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU) at a cost of ₹1,250 crore. This tunnel will not use tunnel boring machines like it is done for metro work, and will instead use cut open method which is used to build any underpass. Vehicles coming out of the tunnel will get onto a 1.7 km long flyover till Mehkri Circle at an estimated cost of ₹405 crore. At the key junction, it will be a rotary flyover with up and down ramps towards Yeshwantpur and Jayamahal roads.

BDA added two new loops to the notorious Hebbal flyover to ease congestion. While this has worked, the traffic congestion has moved towards Mehkri Circle. To resolve this, BDA suggested a tunnel but that will also only push the jam more towards Mehkri Circle it was felt, prompting them to build a flyover as well.

Two years deadline

Once the work commences, BDA wants to complete the project in two years. To fasten work on the project, BDA has called seperate tenders for the tunnel and the flyover and both works will be taken up simultaneously. However, how traffic will be affected and which alternative routes will be prescribed for airport travellers is not clear yet.