Hebbal to Silk Board In 20 Minutes? Bengaluru's 18-km Tunnel Road Faces Backlash Over High Toll Fee

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has laid out a plan that could see Bengaluru residents shelling out Rs 288 for a journey along the proposed 18 km North-South tunnel road, linking Hebbal to Silk Board junction. This charge, as highlighted in a feasibility study by Altinok Consulting Engineering, is notably steep compared to the Rs 170 or Rs 255 toll fees for single and round trips, respectively, on the 118 km Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway. The proposal is part of the city’s ambitious Comprehensive Bengaluru City Traffic Management Infrastructure Plan (CBCTMIP) aimed at mitigating traffic woes.

The tunnel, intended to reduce travel times dramatically from 90 minutes to a mere 20 minutes between these points, is positioned as a major solution to the city's perennial congestion problems. The feasibility report delves into the anticipated impact of the tunnel on traffic patterns, evaluating different scenarios ranging from a focus on private vehicle use to an emphasis on public transportation. Despite the staggering proposed toll fee, the report defends its necessity by forecasting a drastic increase in tunnel traffic if no toll is implemented, predicting up to 97,000 cars during peak hours by 2041 without tolls, versus a significantly reduced forecast of 26,643 cars with toll implementation.

Urban mobility expert Satya Arikutharam has raised critical concerns regarding the proposed toll rates, suggesting they contradict global moves towards enhancing public transport to combat climate change. Arikutharam points out the irony of the situation, given the current public dissent against unfair toll rates to the airport, and suggests, "It is ironic that while the city is protesting unfair tolls to the airport, the BBMP is pushing for a toll road for intra-city travel. This report overlooks the global trend of prioritising public transport to address climate change. A metro fare from Hebbal to Silk Board would cost around Rs 50-60. The government should reconsider this tunnel project and focus on accelerating metro and suburban rail developments." These remarks underscore the potential for a more affordable and environmentally friendly alternative through metro and suburban rail expansions, which could offer a significant cost saving over the tunnel's toll fees for the same journey.

The BBMP's report not only sheds light on the North-South Corridor but also introduces the concept of a double-decker tunnel between KR Puram and Nayandahalli. This additional project would feature a length of 28 km with three lanes on the lower deck and two on the upper, further illustrating the extensive efforts being considered to overhaul Bengaluru's transport infrastructure.