The state cabinet has approved a major infrastructure project: an underground vehicular tunnel from Esteem Mall near Hebbal to Silk Board junction. The `12,690 crore project, costing about `705 crore per kilometre, will initially build an 18.5-kilometre double-decker tunnel. A `9.45 crore detailed project report (DPR) is expected by September, after which tenders will be issued for construction.
The tunnel will include multiple entry and exit points at Esteem Mall Junction, Aramane Road, Golf Course Road, Ashoka Pillar in Jayanagar, and Silk Board Junction. It will feature one-way traffic on both the lower and upper levels, connecting key areas such as Mehkri Circle, Aramane Road, Golf Course Road, Chalukya Circle, Cubbon Park, KH Road, Lalbagh, and Jayanagar.
In addition to the tunnel project, the cabinet approved the construction of a sky deck on a 25-acre site near the NICE Road Cloverleaf Junction. This ambitious project, estimated to cost `500 crore, will feature a design inspired by the Shanghai Tower. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike has engaged an Austrian firm to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for this sky deck.
The cabinet has approved a major upgrade to the city’s street lighting with a `684.34 crore project to replace all street lights with energy-efficient LED lamps. Currently, the BBMP manages over 500,000 street lights, leading to an annual electricity bill of about `300 crore. The switch to LEDs is expected to save the municipality the same amount annually.
The project, divided into four packages, will cover East, Bommanahalli (partially), West, Yelahanka, Dasarahalli, Rajarajeshwarinagar, and South zones, but not Mahadevapura. The aim is to improve safety and eliminate darkness in these areas.
The cabinet has introduced measures to address land valuation inconsistencies for development projects. For agricultural land converted to non-agricultural use, the municipality will cover conversion costs, development fees, and statutory charges.
The land will then be registered, and Transferable Development Rights (TDR) or Development Rights Certificates (DRC) will be issued according to residential rates set by the Registration and Stamps Department.
Similar procedures will apply for conversions to residential, industrial, or commercial uses. For land converted without an approved ‘A’ khata or layout from the BBMP, TDR/DRC will be issued based on developed rates.
Additionally, fees collected by the municipality must be paid to the relevant authorities within seven days.
