In a significant move aimed at tackling the city's notorious traffic snarls, the Karnataka state cabinet has given its green light to a massive infrastructure project for Bengaluru. The approval, granted on December 4, 2025, sanctions the construction of a tunnel and elevated corridor connecting Hebbal and Mehkri Circle at an estimated cost of Rs 2,215 crore.
Project Approval Amidst Internal Scrutiny
The cabinet's decision comes after a period of intense internal discussion and scrutiny. Just a day prior, on December 3, senior officials responsible for Bengaluru's civic affairs convened a special meeting. Their objective was to prepare a robust defence for the ambitious project. This preparatory meeting was deemed necessary as the state's Finance Department had expressed reservations about the proposal.
According to sources, finance officials remained unconvinced about the project's high costs and questioned its projected effectiveness in providing a lasting solution to traffic congestion in the area. Despite these financial concerns, the cabinet proceeded with the approval, signalling a strong political push for the infrastructure upgrade.
Details of the Hebbal-Mehkri Corridor Plan
The approved project is a complex engineering solution designed to decongest one of Bengaluru's most critical and perpetually clogged junctions. The plan involves building a combination of an underground tunnel and an elevated road corridor. This hybrid model is expected to streamline the flow of vehicles moving between Hebbal and Mehkri Circle, a key route that connects to the Kempegowda International Airport and suffers from severe bottlenecks.
The substantial investment of over two thousand crore rupees underscores the scale and importance of the initiative for Bengaluru's future mobility. Proponents argue that such a dedicated corridor is essential to keep the city's economic engine running smoothly by saving commuters countless hours currently lost in traffic.
Road Ahead and Expected Impact
With the cabinet's formal approval, the project now moves into the next phases of detailed design, tendering, and eventual execution. The focus will shift to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and other implementing agencies to commence groundwork.
The project's success hinges on meticulous planning and execution to minimize disruption during construction. If implemented effectively, the Hebbal-Mehkri tunnel and elevated corridor promise to be a transformative piece of infrastructure. It aims to not only ease daily commutes for lakhs of citizens but also enhance connectivity to the airport and boost the overall economic productivity of North Bengaluru.
However, the initial debate within the government highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing massive capital expenditure with demonstrable public benefit. All eyes will now be on the project's timeline and its actual performance in alleviating the congestion it is designed to solve.
