Tunnel Roads Necessary to Cut Land Costs: DKS

Quick Summary

• Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar defended Bengaluru’s proposed two tunnel road projects, citing prohibitive costs of land acquisition as the primary reason for opting tunnels over road widening or flyovers.
• the tunnels will be built on a build-operate-transfer mode with tolls,where 40% of funding is provided by the government and contractors bear 60%.
• Estimated costs:

– K.R.Pura-Nayandahalli corridor: ₹18,000 crore (28 km).- hebbal-Silk Board junction corridor: ₹17,700 crore (16.7 km).

• Key technical notes:

– Tunnel roads to have a diameter of 14m-double that of metro tunnels-making cost comparisons invalid.
– construction cost per unit length in Bengaluru claimed to be lower than elsewhere in India.

• Concerns raised:

– Protests against projects-mobility experts argue they primarily benefit private transport.
– allegations regarding inflated project costs and involvement of a blacklisted company for DPR; though,court stayed NHAI’s blacklisting decision.

• Government states measures are taken to prevent traffic bottlenecks at tunnel exits and assure all necessary precautions.

indian Opinion Analysis

The government’s push for Bengaluru’s massive tunnel road infrastructure signals an attempt to tackle urban congestion through unconventional methods. While tunneling removes the need for extensive land acquisition-saving public expenditure-it also raises persistent concerns about its impact on broader mobility goals and inclusivity within urban planning. Critics argue such mega-projects prioritize automobile users rather than public or lasting transit systems.

Deputy CM Shivakumar elaborated on technical differences driving higher project costs but welcomed investigations into alleged irregularities-a move suggesting transparency amid scrutiny. Additionally, tapping private contractors under build-operate-transfer models could mitigate fiscal strain but introduces tolling implications that may burden residents.

The outcome of this ambitious plan could redefine urban transportation dynamics in India while setting precedents for engineering scale-but ensuring equitable city access remains pivotal amidst mounting protests.

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