The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) will construct a short tunnel from Hebbal junction to the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU) [1].
This project aims to alleviate congestion at one of Bengaluru's most congested intersections by diverting traffic through a dedicated underground passage. The decision to move forward with this specific infrastructure plan follows a review of cost and alignment concerns [2].
The tunnel will span 2.2 km [2]. To execute the project, the BDA opted for an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract mode [1]. This choice represents a return to the original plan after the authority previously considered a hybrid model [2].
Four infrastructure firms submitted bids for the project [3]. While the BDA estimated the cost at Rs 1,086 crore [3], reports regarding the Rithwik Projects contract place the figure higher at Rs 1,139 crore [4].
Construction is expected to take 18 months [4]. The tunnel is designed to streamline the flow of vehicles between the junction and the university campus, a critical link in the city's northern transit corridor.
The BDA's shift back to the EPC mode ensures that a single entity handles the design and construction phases. This approach is intended to minimize delays and alignment errors that often plague large-scale urban tunneling projects in the region.
“The tunnel will span 2.2 km”
The decision to revert to an EPC contract suggests that the BDA is prioritizing project speed and accountability over the flexibility of a hybrid model. By consolidating responsibility under one contractor, the city hopes to avoid the cost overruns and alignment disputes that frequently stall Bengaluru's infrastructure development.
