Bengaluru’s Rs 725-crore Mehkri-Hebbal corridor has moved into preliminary execution, with the Bangalore Development Authority beginning soil investigations for an integrated elevated road and tunnel project aimed at easing one of north Bengaluru’s most congested routes. The project is targeted for completion in 18 months, although the tunnel component is progressing slowly because of a case pending in the high court.
The corridor will run from Mehkri Circle to a point beyond Hebbal flyover through two linked components. The first is an elevated corridor from Mehkri Circle to Baptist Hospital. The second is a tunnel from Baptist Hospital to beyond Hebbal flyover. The design is intended to improve traffic movement across the full stretch rather than resolve congestion at separate junctions.
BDA chairperson NA Haris said the project was conceived as an integrated solution for traffic movement and connectivity to north Bengaluru and the airport. “The aim is to provide smoother traffic movement and strengthen connectivity to north Bengaluru and the airport,” he said.
An IIT Bombay report cited by the project assessment estimates that the corridor could reduce traffic congestion by at least 60% in a worst-case scenario and up to 80% in a best-case scenario. The elevated section will have two lanes in each direction, while the tunnel will provide three lanes on either side.
At the Veterinary College end, two lanes in each direction will connect with the elevated corridor. Another lane will serve local traffic. The elevated road will lead to a rotary at Mehkri Circle, which is also expected to connect with the proposed Yeshwantpur-KR Pura east-west corridor. Together, the planned links are intended to provide commuters with a more continuous route through the area.
Haris said coordinated execution of the project’s components would be necessary for the corridor to deliver its intended benefits. “Coordinated execution of these components will be key to reducing bottlenecks and improving commuting experience,” he said.
The project crosses Ganganagar and Sanjaynagar, bringing land acquisition, utility shifting and construction impacts into the delivery process. The total estimated cost of Rs 725 crore includes these expenses and other overheads. The construction contract awarded to Auro-KMC JV is valued at about Rs 440 crore, excluding the remaining project-related costs.
BDA is also examining the project’s impact on trees. The authority is working on transplanting trees wherever possible and currently proposes cutting 50 to 60 trees that it considers non-transplantable. It has begun discussions with non-government organisations to explore whether additional trees can be saved.
The immediate implementation milestones are the ongoing soil investigations and the resolution of the court-related issue affecting the tunnel component. The project’s stated completion target remains 18 months, subject to coordinated execution of the elevated corridor, tunnel and associated works.
