In a major move aimed at improving urban mobility in North Bengaluru, the Karnataka government has proposed the addition of a new loop at the Hebbal flyover along with a separate 1.5-kilometre tunnel road to tackle long-standing traffic congestion at this key junction. The infrastructure intervention is expected to significantly streamline vehicular movement between the northern suburbs and Bengaluru’s city centre.
The Hebbal junction, known for its heavy daily traffic load, serves as a critical transit point for commuters entering the city from the Kempegowda International Airport and other areas in northern Bengaluru. Recognising the persistent bottlenecks in this corridor, Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar has underscored the importance of enhancing infrastructure capacity in this region.
While the 16.75-km-long Hebbal–Silk Board tunnel road—a flagship project being implemented by Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure (B-SMILE)—is already underway, the new 1.5-km tunnel is a distinct and independent initiative. It will be developed by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and will link Esteem Mall to the Veterinary College, providing a direct subterranean route through areas such as Nagawara and the campus of the Agricultural University.
Officials believe this shorter tunnel will act as a quick-relief project to complement the longer Hebbal–Silk Board tunnel by offering immediate decongestion benefits in the northern stretch. The integration of this tunnel with the broader corridor is also under consideration, with planning teams evaluating the engineering and mobility benefits of merging the two projects for better network connectivity.
BBMP Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao has indicated that the proposal is at an advanced planning stage and will soon be submitted to the Karnataka State Cabinet for approval. Once cleared, the project is expected to move into execution swiftly, given the strategic importance of the Hebbal junction for both daily commuters and freight movement.
Urban mobility experts have welcomed the move, citing that multi-layered infrastructure solutions are the need of the hour in Bengaluru’s growing traffic ecosystem. With the city’s vehicle population crossing the 1.2 crore mark, single-solution interventions often fall short, especially at high-density choke points like Hebbal.
The tunnel will be designed with provisions for high-capacity vehicular movement and will incorporate the latest engineering safety standards, including ventilation, lighting, and emergency access systems.
Furthermore, the Hebbal flyover loop will ease the merging and diverging traffic movements from multiple feeder roads that currently converge at the junction. Traffic engineers believe that this loop, combined with the tunnel, will help redistribute traffic loads, reduce travel time, and enhance overall safety for motorists.
Once completed, the dual-project strategy is expected to improve last-mile connectivity, support public and private transit systems, and ultimately contribute to Bengaluru’s ongoing efforts to modernise its urban infrastructure framework.
