Project Update: BTRL

Finally, light at the end of this ‘tunnel’


The country’s first-ever tunnel road project was approved at the BDA board meeting last week, with the BDA proposing a global tender to execute the project on a design-buildoperate-transfer (DBOT) basis.
Giving details, BDA commissioner M K Shankarlinge Gowda said, “The proposal will be sent to the cabinet for approval next week. The project’s cost is huge and we are seeking funds from the government. Since the project involves a lot of technical expertise, we are calling for global tenders to be executed by one agency under the DBOT basis.’’
The tunnel will connect Minsk Square and Hebbal flyover. Estimated to cost around Rs 800 crore, the 8-km tunnel will have two decks of three lanes each for vehicles to move in the opposite directions, but one above the other. The BDA plans to complete the project in 30 months time after the work takes off.
The project comes with a major advantage as it does not entail any land acquisition. Nothing on the surface would be disturbed as the entire tunnelling and work will be underground. In fact, people may not even be aware of the work going on underground. The tunnel will have illumination, ducting and other facilities to drain water which may seep in. It will be connected to the flyover and to the six-lane road from there onwards, making it a smooth and fast drive to the airport.