BBMP Unveils Rs 73600 Crore Infrastructure Mega-Plan

BBMP Unveils Rs 73600 Crore Infrastructure Mega-Plan: Tunnel Roads, Flyovers to Transform Bengaluru by 2025-26

For the first time in Bengaluru’s history, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has announced a comprehensive Rs 73,600 crore infrastructure development plan that will be executed through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). This ambitious initiative, revealed during the 2025-26 budget presentation by Special Commissioner of Finance Dr. K. Harish Kumar on Saturday, aims to revolutionize Bengaluru’s transportation infrastructure and address the city’s persistent traffic congestion.

The Five Mega Infrastructure Projects

The BBMP’s budget focuses on five transformative projects designed to overhaul Bengaluru’s urban mobility landscape:

Tunnel Road Projects: The centerpiece of the infrastructure revitalization plan involves constructing underground tunnels to create signal-free corridors across the city.

Vehicular Flyovers: 110 kilometers of urban flyovers will be built to improve connectivity between the outer and inner ring roads.

Combined Metro-Road Flyover Project: Integrated double-decker structures that will house both metro lines and vehicular traffic.

Storm Water Drain-Adjacent Roads: 300 kilometers of new roads alongside storm water drains to enhance connectivity while addressing drainage issues.

White Topping of Major Roads: A comprehensive plan to upgrade existing roads with more durable white-topped surfaces.

Tunnel Roads: A Bold Solution to Bengaluru’s Traffic Woes

The tunnel road projects represent the most significant investment in the budget, with an estimated cost of Rs 42,000 crore. The BBMP has already prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) at a cost of Rs 17,780 crore for the first tunnel road along National Highway-7, connecting Hebbal to Hosur Road via Silk Board.

A second DPR is currently being developed for an East-West corridor tunnel along National Highway-4, which will link Krishnaraja Puram (K.R. Puram) to Mysuru Road. Both tunnel projects will be implemented through a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) or Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) under public-private participation.

The Karnataka government has committed a guarantee of Rs 19,000 crore toward these ambitious tunnel projects. The financing model will include 40% funding from the state government and BBMP through bank loans, while the remaining 60% is expected to come from private concessionaires under the Viability Gap Fund (VGF) method.

Transforming Outer Ring Road: World-Class Infrastructure for IT Corridor

The budget specifically addresses the development of Bengaluru’s crucial IT corridor. For the stretch from Central Silk Board to K.R. Puram-Lowry Junction via Baiyappanahalli Metro Station—where numerous Fortune 500 IT-BT companies operate—the BBMP plans to develop 22.7 kilometers of world-class roads at a cost of Rs 400 crore in collaboration with the Government of Karnataka and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL).

Vehicular Flyovers and Grade Separators

To improve connectivity between the outer ring road, inner ring road, and the city’s core areas, the BBMP will construct 110 kilometers of urban vehicular flyovers at an estimated cost of Rs 13,200 crore. These elevated corridors and grade separators aim to create signal-free corridors across the city, significantly reducing travel time and traffic congestion.

300-km Road Network Along Storm Water Drains

Another innovative project involves constructing 300 kilometers of roads adjacent to storm water drains at a cost of Rs 3,000 crore. This dual-purpose initiative will not only enhance the city’s road network but also facilitate better maintenance of storm water drains, potentially reducing flooding issues during monsoon seasons.

White Topping: Durable Road Infrastructure

The budget includes plans for white topping of major roads within BBMP limits. An action plan is being formulated for this project, which will involve laying concrete surfaces over existing asphalt roads to increase durability and reduce maintenance costs in the long run.

Pedestrian-First Approach

Following the principle of “Pedestrian First,” the BBMP plans to construct 1,000 kilometers of footpaths during ongoing arterial and sub-arterial road works. This emphasis on pedestrian infrastructure will continue in all future road developments, ensuring safer and more accessible walking spaces for citizens.

Addressing Urban Flooding

To provide permanent relief to flood-affected areas in Bengaluru, the budget allocates Rs 247.25 crore for 2025-26 under the National Disaster Relief Fund. These funds will be utilized to implement long-term solutions for areas that regularly experience flooding during monsoon seasons.

Additionally, the BBMP has decided to transfer bore-wells and Reverse Osmosis Plants within its jurisdiction to the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), along with all related state government funds and funds from other sources after deducting pending maintenance expenses.

Strong Financial Position

The BBMP’s budget presentation highlighted the civic body’s strong financial performance. In 2024-25, BBMP collected property tax amounting to approximately Rs 4,900 crore—the highest collection by any municipal corporation in India for the second consecutive year. For 2025-26, BBMP expects revenue collection to increase to Rs 5,716 crore.

Conclusion: A Vision for Future Bengaluru

This comprehensive infrastructure plan represents a significant step toward addressing Bengaluru’s long-standing transportation and urban mobility challenges. The implementation of these five mega projects through a dedicated Special Purpose Vehicle signals BBMP’s commitment to systematic infrastructure development and efficient fund utilization.

As these projects move forward, they promise to transform Bengaluru’s urban landscape, potentially resolving traffic congestion issues that have plagued the city for decades. The success of these initiatives will be crucial in supporting Bengaluru’s continued growth as India’s technology hub while enhancing the quality of life for its residents.