India's technology capital Bengaluru is preparing for one of its most ambitious infrastructure transformations ever, with a comprehensive ₹1.5 lakh crore proposal aimed at addressing the city's growing urban challenges. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar formally presented the detailed plan to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 10, 2025, outlining a vision to transform Bengaluru into a truly global metropolis.
Massive Transportation Overhaul
The infrastructure blueprint identifies critical urban corridors as major choke points requiring immediate intervention. Current traffic conditions have pushed the Level of Service below 10 kmph, significantly exceeding the LOS 'F' threshold. The proposed solutions include two major tunnels and multiple elevated corridors designed to revolutionize intra-city travel.
The tunnel network includes Tunnel 1 connecting Hosur Road to Bellary Road (NH-7) and Tunnel 2 linking KR Puram to Mysuru Road (NH-4/NH-275). An elevated corridor along Kanakapura Road will ensure uninterrupted transit. These interventions, costing approximately ₹41,780 crore, aim to reduce travel times on congested routes by 60-70% while minimizing surface disruption.
Comprehensive Metro and Road Expansion
Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited is executing multiple expansion phases simultaneously. While Phase 1's 42 km is fully operational and Phase 2's 75 km is partly functional, Phase 2A and 2B covering 69 km are under construction. Phase 3 spanning 44.65 km has been sanctioned, and Phase 3A's 37 km has DPR approval awaiting final clearance.
The city plans five new metro extensions covering 128 km to connect peripheral regions and satellite towns, integrating mass transit into Bengaluru's growth framework. Additionally, following the success of the Yellow Line double-decker configuration between Silk Board and Ragigudda, the government proposes extending this innovative approach to JP Nagar-Hebbal and Hosahalli-Kadabagere routes.
Peripheral Ring Road and Regional Connectivity
To alleviate congestion on the Outer Ring Road and city highways, the Bengaluru Development Authority is implementing a 73.5 km, 8-lane Peripheral Ring Road through a Public-Private Partnership model. Estimated to cost ₹27,000 crore (with ₹21,000 crore allocated for land acquisition), the PRR aims to divert highway traffic from the city center, reduce travel times, and route heavy vehicles efficiently.
Inspired by the Delhi-Meerut RRTS model, Bengaluru proposes a regional rapid transit system connecting key corridors including Bengaluru-Bidadi-Mysuru (145 km), Bengaluru-Harohalli-Kanakapura (60 km), and Bengaluru-Airport-Chikkaballapur (64 km), significantly improving regional connectivity.
Environmental Infrastructure and Waste Management
Addressing Bengaluru's substantial waste management challenges, the plan includes establishing four 100-acre waste management facilities at city corners. With the city generating approximately 6,500 metric tonnes of solid waste daily, the proposed facilities will feature wet waste composting, bio-CNG units, dry waste recycling, Waste-to-Energy plants, and leachate treatment systems.
The ₹3,200 crore waste management project seeks Viability Gap Funding support of ₹960 crore under Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0. Additionally, to protect Bengaluru's crucial lake ecosystem, the plan proposes constructing 300 km of roads along stormwater buffer zones while preserving the hydrological network.
Controversial Tunnel Project and Environmental Concerns
The ambitious tunnel road project, pegged at ₹17,698 crore, aims to become India's costliest intra-city transport corridor. The 16.75 km fully underground expressway between Silk Board Junction and Hebbal promises to reduce travel time from 60-90 minutes to just 20-25 minutes, bypassing 25 major bottlenecks.
However, environmentalists have raised significant concerns about the tunnel alignment passing beneath Lalbagh Botanical Garden. The proposed acquisition of six acres of Lalbagh land and construction of ventilation shafts could potentially damage the 3,000-million-year-old Lalbagh Rock and disrupt the delicate ecosystem.
An expert committee reviewing the Detailed Project Report identified multiple shortcomings, including inadequate geotechnical data, missing aquifer mapping, flawed stormwater drainage plans, and inflated traffic projections. The panel recommended a complete DPR revision with updated traffic forecasts and enhanced environmental safeguards.
Public Transport vs Car-Centric Development Debate
The infrastructure plan has sparked intense debate between proponents of car-centric solutions and public transport advocates. Deputy CM Shivakumar defended the projects as necessary for urban mobility, stating that people cannot be stopped from using cars. However, Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya countered that only 12% of Bengalureans own cars, arguing that reliable public transport represents a more equitable solution.
Surya highlighted that while the tunnel might move 1,600 cars per hour, metro corridors can transport 10,000-20,000 passengers hourly. The cost comparison also favors public transport, with one-way tunnel travel estimated at ₹330 compared to ₹50-60 for metro journeys.
As Bengaluru grapples with its infrastructure challenges, the comprehensive ₹1.5 lakh crore plan represents a critical juncture in the city's development trajectory, balancing immediate mobility needs with long-term sustainable urban growth.
