the tunnel effect

The Tunnel Effect

Bangalore’s twin tunnel project has been at the centrestage of controversies from the time it was first announced. The proposed 16.75 km long Tunnel Road Project estimated at a mind-boggling Rs 18,000 crore, is still hanging fire.

The idea was good – to connect the Hebbal Esteem Mall Junction in North Bengaluru to the Central Silk Board Junction in the South part of the city – where the traffic congestion is next level. If it does indeed see light of day, it will serve as a boon for commuters by easing pressure on the arterial roads like Hosur Road and Outer Ring Road.

Several esteemed corporate houses have come forward to tender their bids for this major infrastructure project. And yet it has been facing criticism from urban planners and environmental activists. Engineers are divided in opinion, while Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar who is spearheading the project has hailed it as crucial for Bangalore’s traffic infrastructure.

As they say, if you want to have an omelette, you have to break some eggs. So if we want the traffic situation in Bangalore to ease up, we have to be willing to put up with some disruption for the interim period. We cannot talk from both sides – complain about the horrendous traffic, and yet oppose every step taken to do something about it.

It’s time for Bengalureans to bite the bullet. And replace their near-term tunnel vision with hailing the actual tunnel project and give it a thumbs up. Lest it become another Ejipura Flyover.

Pullout

Allow infrastructure to ease Bengaluru’s horrendous traffic