B engaluru’s civic agency wants defence land in Hebbal for tunnel road project

Bengaluru: Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike (BBMP) has sought the transfer of defence land in Hebbal for building the north-south corridor of the proposed tunnel road. Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar had met defence minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi to discuss the land transfer.The tunnel's entry and exit points at Hebbal junction will connect to NH-44 (Ballari Road), leading to Kempegowda International Airport. BBMP recently submitted a written request to defence authorities seeking transfer of 2 acres of land for the project. A BBMP official said land is required for service roads and ramps for tunnel access. The agency approached National Highways Authority of India seeking clearance for the project.A source elaborated, "The proposed tunnel road is likely to be linked with the national highway near the pedestrian skywalk located opposite Esteem Mall. A concrete box-like structure with ramps to access the tunnel road exit will come up in the area. Other infrastructure works will also come up for motorists using service roads to access the tunnel road. To facilitate these works, road-widening on either side is necessary."Recently, Shivakumar announced that land parcel acquired by Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Authority (KIADB) for tourism would be utilised for Namma Metro's transit hub and tunnel road projects. He indicated that BMRCL and BBMP would finalise design plans to determine the required land area. Earlier, defence authorities had parted land for road infrastructure opposite Esteem Mall. Despite removing over 40 trees for expanding the service road years ago, the authorities haven't yet completed the project.